In order to increase access to energy in their nations, experts and delegates from The Gambia River Basin Development Organization (OMVG) member nations are gathering in The Gambia. They are talking about plans and programs to support the development of sustainable energy in the area.
Daouda Samba Sow, Secretary General of OMVG has revealed during the meeting that since November 23, 2023, electricity from Guinea’s Kaleta and Souapiti hydroelectric projects has powered the Bissau substation.
Senegal and the Gambia’s ongoing electrical energy exchanges will soon be synchronized thanks to the completion of building work on the lines and substations of the OMVG interconnection loop. This synchronization will bring significant benefits to both countries, according to .
Some of the benefits include increased access to reliable electricity for both Senegal and the Gambia, which will support economic growth and development. Additionally, the synchronization of electrical energy exchanges will enhance energy security and stability in the region, reducing the risk of power outages and disruptions.
The Committee of Experts that is currently meeting in The Gambia plays a crucial role in evaluating the progress of the project and providing valuable recommendations for its successful implementation. While meeting in The Gambia, the Committee of Experts will examine documents from the 11th Conference of Heads of State and Government to propose recommendations to the Council of Ministers in their next ordinary session. The Gambia’s President, Adama Barrow, is the current Chair of the OMVG.
The Gambia River Basin Development Organization project was initiated to address the energy deficit in the Gambia, Senegal, Guinea, and Guinea-Bissau, as well as these countries’ dependence on imported oil and the use of environmentally harmful hydrocarbons for energy production.
By implementing hydroelectric dams, the project not only addresses the energy deficit but also contributes to the region’s economic growth and environmental conservation efforts.
In December 2023, all construction work on the lines and substations of the 1,677 km long OMVG interconnection loop was completed, and all 15 source stations within the network were energized, as disclosed to the experts by Daouda Samba Sow, Secretary General of OMVG.
Over the years, the implementation of OMVG projects has boosted electricity supply in the four member countries. Projects in The Gambia and Senegal are reported to have been completed, while other countries have gone beyond 90 percent of completion.
