Gambiaj.com – (DJIBORO) – Senegal’s national electricity company, SENELEC, has commissioned a new power link station between Selety in Casamance, Senegal and Djiboro in Gambia’s Western Region. This marks a significant step forward in interstate cooperation between the two countries in the energy sector.

The commissioning follows a working visit by Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye to Gambia, where agreements on various areas of cooperation were reached. SENELEC’s Minister of Oil and Energy officially inaugurated the new power link station on Monday.

This latest development builds on a five-year power purchase agreement (PPA) signed between SENELEC and Gambia’s NAWEC. The agreement, facilitated by the newly constructed Kaolack-Soma-Brikama 225kV line within the OMVG Energy Project, provides Gambia with an initial 30 MW of power, with the potential to increase to 50 MW.

The specifics of the financial agreements were not disclosed, but the deal grants The Gambia access to 50 MW of power for five years and includes a management contract for the operation and maintenance of Gambia’s electricity grid.

SENELEC’s surplus of electricity production, which has grown from 500 MW to 1890 MW between 2012 and 2024, is a key driver behind this strategic approach. By expanding its reach into the region, SENELEC not only strengthens regional cooperation in energy but also diversifies its income streams and increases its market presence.

Senegal’s commitment to regional power supply extends beyond Gambia. In the past two weeks, SENELEC has provided 120 MW of electricity to Guinea Conakry, generating an annual revenue of two billion CFA francs for the Senegalese company. This partnership helps alleviate Guinea’s ongoing power cuts.

Similar agreements were established in 2023 with Mali (60 MW) and Mauritania (40 MW), solidifying Senegal’s position as a major electricity supplier in West Africa.