21MW Power Boost Lands as Gambia Moves to Ease Electricity Crisis

Written by: Seringe S.T. Touray

Two brand-new generators capable of producing a combined 21 megawatts of electricity have arrived in The Gambia, giving NAWEC a major capacity boost just weeks after prolonged blackouts triggered protests across the country.

Vice President Mohammed B.S. Jallow received the two 10.5MW generators at the Gambia Ports Authority on Monday on behalf of President Adama Barrow. The machines will be installed at the Brikama Power Station, with NAWEC targeting commissioning by the end of October.

“The Government is committed to ensuring a stable electricity supply and expanding access to electricity nationwide in line with the national development agenda,” VP Jallow said.

NAWEC Managing Director Gallo Saidy confirmed that the machines are new and form part of a bigger deal.

“The generators are brand new. Installation and commissioning activities are expected to be completed by the end of October 2026,” Saidy said. “These two units form part of a three-generator agreement, with the third unit expected to arrive at a later date.”

Their arrival comes about four weeks after serious power cuts pushed frustrated residents onto the streets in several communities. Following the protests, Barrow admitted “shortcomings in our planning, power generation, and maintenance systems” and promised that electricity supply would improve by the end of October.

The President has also announced a separate 24MW generation unit at Brikama and a planned 50MW solar power plant in Soma as part of efforts to strengthen the country’s electricity system.

For households and businesses battered by repeated outages, the arrival is an important step. The bigger test now is getting the new machines installed, commissioned and producing power for the national grid.