The Gambia is on course to register universal access to electricity by 2025. However, power interruption and frequent blackouts have left many asking whether the country has the generation capacity to supply the increasing electricity demand.
Honorable Kebba K. Barrow, National Assembly Member for Kombo South, and Honorable Alhagie S. Darboe, National Assembly for Brikama North, suggested that the country focus more on renewable, particularly solar power, to meet the high energy demand.
“Renewable energy, I think, is the best thing for us in the sub-region. We have a lot of sunshine and need the capital expenses to be met. In doing that, it is the responsibility of the respective member countries to raise the necessary funds to get the projects in place. For us, in The Gambia, we have just ratified a loan and a grant to support renewable energy that will give several kilowatts for the provision of electricity, ” Hon. Barrow disclosed.
According to KKB, the Gambia has secured a grant of 24 million Euros and a loan of 8 million Euros towards helping the country’s renewable energy drive. “The President of the Republic has already laid the foundation stone of that project, and, hopefully, it is going to be up and running within the next 24 months,” stated Hon. Barrow, who also chairs the Ecowas Parliament’s Committee on Macro Economics and Economic Policy Research.
For his part, Alhagie S. Darboe, Minority Leader and National Assembly member for Brikama North, said the Ecowas bloc is doing well to improve energy access within the sub-region through various projects such as the West Africa Power Pool and the OMVG.
Despite this, Darboe believes renewable energy could be an alternative for Ecowas Member states, including The Gambia.
“Renewable energy is more reliable, affordable, and accessible. Therefore, I recommend The Gambia direct more attention to the renewable energy sector.’
Hon Barrow and Darboe, part of The Gambia’s five-member delegation to the Ecowas Parliament, made these interventions in Freetown, Sierra Leone, where the Parliament is organizing a meeting on energy transition.
