By Abdoulie John
As residents in the Greater Banjul Area and Brikama face significant power outages due to scheduled maintenance by the National Water and Electricity Company (NAWEC), reports indicate a promising surge in energy supply from the OMVG regional project, potentially stabilizing electricity nationwide.
Sources confirm that OMVG substations in the Upper River Region (URR) and Central River Region (CRR) are operating at full capacity, delivering increased hydropower imports from Guinea’s Kaleta and Souapiti plants. Similar enhancements are underway at the Soma substation, serving the North Bank Region (NBR) and Lower River Region (LRR), while the Brikama substation supplies the Greater Banjul Area (GBA) and West Coast Region (WCR).
This boost comes months after NAWEC ended its contract with Turkish provider Karpowership in May 2025, a move widely seen as a shift toward cheaper, cleaner regional hydropower and reduced reliance on costly fossil fuels. The decision not to renew followed years of criticism over high costs, with payments exceeding $200 million since 2018.
Despite the current disruptions, which NAWEC attributes to essential upgrades, the OMVG integration—part of a multinational effort involving The Gambia, Guinea, Senegal, and Guinea-Bissau—signals progress toward universal access targets. A recent World Bank report from October 2025 highlights the project’s regional impact: Guinea’s transmission capacity has risen to 340,000 KVA from zero in 2015, enabling annual exports of 1,174 GWh to neighbors, including The Gambia, while promoting a transition away from fossil fuels.
Residents, however, remain frustrated with persistent shortages that have plagued the country since independence. “The Gambia is a small country; it’s disheartening that we still face electricity shortages,” said Mary Manga, a Serekunda resident. “The government must act decisively.”
Alieu Jallow, a barber near Tippa Garage, echoed the sentiment: “We depend on electricity for our livelihoods—it’s time to end these constant blackouts.”
With government goals of 90% electricity access by year’s end and full universal coverage by 2026, the OMVG surge could mark a turning point, alleviating disruptions and powering economic growth in this tiny West African nation.
