· The target of the Senegal Government is to increase its electrification rate to 100% by 2025.
· According to Africa Energy Outlook 2019, Senegal’s electrification rate was 69% in 2018, with a 92% rate in urban areas and only 42% in rural areas.
According to Africa Energy Outlook 2019, Senegal’s electrification rate was 69% in 2018, with a 92% rate in urban areas and only 42% in rural areas. The Karpowership Project in Dakar, since 2019, is contributing to around 15% of Senegal’s electricity supply. The target of Senegal Government is to increase its electrification rate to 100% by 2025.
Enhancing the rural electrification is in line with the Sustainability Development Goal of the United Nation’s charter on Sustainable Development. The focus will be to cut electricity generation costs by reducing its dependence on imported liquid fuels and increasing electricity access to rural areas. The Powership proposes to shift soon from the use of heavy fuel oil to gas. This fuel switch-over will cut down Senegal’s fuel bill with a positive spill-over effect on electricity costs and also cut its carbon emission. Senegal ambition is to shift primarily to natural gas for its power production by 2035, further cutting down the national grid’s emissions.
Mauritius Commercial Bank (MCB) is supporting Senegal’s national electrification drive through its USD 60 million participation in the syndicated project finance facility of USD 140 million to Karpowership. Mandated as lead arranger, MCB has provided the highest loan commitment. The project finance facility is enabling Karpowership to operate its 235 MW facility in Dakar.
