By Omar Bah
The managing director of Nawec, Baba Fatajo, has revealed plans to ensure 24-hour power supply for the country before the end of the year.
Speaking to journalists at a press conference yesterday, Mr Fatajo said they have now “achieved stability”.
“We are hoping that before the end of this year, we will have 24 hours of electricity supply throughout the whole country. This is something we are working on and we are optimistic that it is possible within the year,” Fatajo said.
He said at the moment, they have met the power generation demand. “In fact, some of our plants are idle because of the fact that we have more than enough capacity in relation to the demand,” he claimed.
Nawec which was operating on less than half of its required capacity, had to contract the Senegalese energy company, Senelec, and Turkish energy conglomerate, Karpowership, for a power-purchase arrangement that has since brought great relief for the company and consumers.
Mr Fatajo said these arrangements and their own improvements in power generation, have doubled the capacity in Basse and Farafenni.
“The Greater Niumi Area is also having 24 hours of electricity. Through our rural electrification projects also, we are extending the line in Kerewan and also between Illiassa and Farafenni. We hope that in the next few weeks, the entire north bank will have access to 24-hour electricity,” he predicted.
He said a 9MW engine is powering from Brikama, and that they are commissioning a further 11MW at Kotu and 6MW at Brikama.
“We are on a grid extension project and a lot of communities within the Greater Banjul Area will be connected within 1 year to 18 months. Parts of Kiang will also benefit from the project,” he stated.
Fatajo said the company’s focus is now “shifted from power generation to transmission and distribution where we have challenges.”
However, he admitted that public institutions are facing significant challenges in the area of water generation and distribution.
MD Fatajo also revealed plans to invest in 200MW solar plant around Jarra Soma.
According to their energy roadmap, Nawec plans to have universal energy access in the country by 2025.
