Gambiaj.com – (BANJUL) – Neo Themis, an energy company, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Government of The Gambia (GoG) through the Minister of Petroleum and Energy for the development, financing, construction, and operation of several solar PV power plants. This agreement, signed on the 12th of April in Banjul, marks the first independent power producer (IPP) project in the country moving to revolutionize The Gambia’s energy landscape.

Neo Themis, a Moroccan-based project developer and investor, focuses on renewable power generation assets in Sub Saharan Africa, integrating project development, equity investment, and asset portfolio management.

The project with The Gambia entails the development of solar PV power plants with a total capacity of 30Wp, complemented by advanced battery storage. With The Gambia aiming to achieve 50% renewable energy by 2030, this initiative is a significant step towards realizing this ambitious goal. The project will boost domestic power production by 30%, reducing the country’s reliance on expensive diesel and heavy fuel oil (HFO), which currently dominate the energy mix for electricity generation.

There is currently no public information available regarding the financial costs, funding arrangements for the project, or the purchase price of the electricity once Neo Themis begins producing and injecting power into Nawec’s grid.

However, technicians around Minister Nani Juwara believe that the agreement between the government of The Gambia and Neo Themis will enable offering electricity at a price approximately 60% cheaper than current options. This will have a tangible impact on the lives of Gambians, particularly those in rural areas.

The first phase of the project, with a capacity of 10.5 MW, is expected to generate approximately 31 GWh of clean energy and connect over 22,600 individuals to the grid.

Moreover, by substituting heavy fuel oil production, the project aims to mitigate approximately 39,600+ metric tons per year of CO2 emissions, contributing significantly to global efforts to combat climate change.

At the signing ceremony, attended by government officials and Themis management, the Minister of Energy highlighted the pivotal role of renewable energy in achieving The Gambian 2030 vision and ensuring universal clean and affordable energy access for all Gambians.

Mrs. Tas Anvaripour, CEO of Neo Themis, expressed gratitude to the Minister and all teams involved for their support, emphasizing Neo Themis’ commitment to bringing expertise and expediting project implementation for visible success.

This partnership reflects the confidence in Themis’ ability to implement strategic energy infrastructure solutions in Africa. Themis is proud to lead sustainable development in The Gambia and looks forward to delivering lasting benefits to the country.

Shortly after signing the MOU with Neo Themis, Nani Juwara and his Ministry of Petroleum and Energy received a delegation from the Egyptian German Electrical Manufacturing Company (EGEMAC) in The Gambia.

During the visit, the EGEMAC team held discussions with the Honorable Minister Nani Juwara, the Permanent Secretary, Mrs. Amie Njie, and the Director of Energy, Mr. Kemo K. Ceesay.

EGEMAC expressed interest in supporting The Gambia’s energy sector, especially as the country aims to achieve universal energy access by 2025. The company has pledged to provide assistance wherever necessary to help The Gambia meet its energy goals.