By Mustapha K. Darboe
In 2017, The Gambia’s National Water and Electricity Company (NAWEC) could only cover 42% of the country’s energy needs. The energy company was struggling with a series of power outages which were blamed on poor leadership and financial mismanagement under the 22-year leadership of ex-president Yahya Jammeh.
As a short term measure to deal with the power outage, Gambia’s energy company turned to Senegal’s energy company— Senelec.
PPA between Senelec and NAWEC
In July 2017, the National Water and Electricity Company, signed a power-purchase agreement (PPA) with the Senegalese energy company, Senelec, for a supply of 10 megawatts of energy.
Senelec was to connect Gambia’s electric grid through Keur Ayib, Karang and Tamba Kunda. In March 2022, the national energy company signed another agreement with Senelec to increase this capacity to 50 megawatts.
The agreement was to facilitate the importation of electricity through the Soma and Brikama OMVG substations for a period of five years.
The cost
Though the limit of the energy supply from Senelec to NAWEC is 50 megawatts, the Gambia’s energy company only pays what it consumes on a monthly basis.
The cost of buying Power from SENELEC is 91.52 CFA Franc equivalents to US $0.114. NAWEC sells it at D14.41, which is equivalent to US $0.202.
Controversy over debt, contract
The contract the national energy company signed with Senelec is not published. However, a recent revelation by the energy minister Nani Juwara on the Assembly exposes the average monthly supply from Senegal to Gambia and the cost NAWEC incurs from the transaction.
For May, June and July 2024, Gambia’s energy company owes Senelec D1, 186 billion, a monthly average of D393 million.
Nawec’s capacity
The national energy company currently provides 49.98 percent of its generation capacity.
The Turkey floating energy ship— Karpower— provides 46.34 percent while Senelec provides 3.68 percent.
