The African Development Bank Group (AfDB) has approved €28 million in funding to construct solar power plants in Gassi and Lamadji, Chad. This initiative is part of the Bank’s Desert to Power program aimed at expanding energy access across Africa.
The financing package consists of €20 million in direct support, combining a loan and grant from the Sustainable Energy Fund for Africa and €8 million in financial guarantees. These guarantees, equally split, are provided by the African Development Fund and the Green Climate Fund, contributing €4 million each to support this renewable energy project.
Under Chad’s Desert to Power plan, the project will increase electricity supply by 20%, facilitating the country’s transition from costly, polluting, fuel-based power to renewable energy. Two solar power plants, each with a 15-megawatt peak capacity, will be built on the outskirts of N’Djamena.
The project includes the construction of new power stations, transmission lines, and a 6-megawatt-hour battery system for energy storage during periods without sunlight. The total project cost, estimated at €41 million, will be co-financed with contributions from other Development Finance Institutions (DFIs).
Kevin Kariuki, AfDB’s Vice President for Power, Energy, Climate, and Green Growth, highlighted the project as a landmark for Chad’s renewable energy transition under the Desert to Power Initiative. He emphasized the bank’s commitment to supporting transformative and clean energy projects that drive local economic growth and strengthen energy security.
Wale Shonibare, AfDB’s Director of Energy Financial Solutions, Policy, and Regulations, praised the project as a pioneering solar initiative in Chad. He noted the vast renewable energy potential in the Sahel region and stressed how the Bank’s innovative solutions and partnerships can accelerate energy transitions and foster sustainable economic development.
The solar plants will produce 61 gigawatt-hours of clean and affordable energy annually, addressing Chad’s energy deficit and cutting carbon dioxide emissions by 49,000 tons each year. This project aligns with Chad’s climate commitments under the Paris Agreement.
During construction, the initiative will generate 200 jobs, with special opportunities for women and youth, and will create 34 permanent positions once operational. The project will also generate tax revenue, reduce fuel subsidies, and improve Chad’s balance of payments by lowering energy imports.
Aligned with AfDB’s Ten-Year Strategy, the New Deal on Energy for Africa, and the High 5 priority to “Light Up and Power Africa,” the Gassi and Lamadji Solar PV project reinforces Chad’s dedication to renewable energy development. It also supports AfDB’s broader mission to advance sustainable, inclusive, and resilient energy systems across the continent.
