Senegal unveils its National Energy Pact
A Commitment to Universal Electrification by 2030
Senegal recently presented its ambitious “Pacte National pour l’Énergie” (National Energy Pact), aimed at providing electricity to an additional 6.6 million people by 2030. The ultimate goal is to achieve an electrification rate of 100%, compared with the current 84%. This initiative is in line with the SEforALL Operational Plan and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), in particular SDG No. 7 on access to clean, affordable energy.
The Pact’s main strategic thrusts
The Pacte National pour l’Énergie (National Energy Pact) is built around five major themes:
1. Energy infrastructure modernization
Senegal plans to reinforce its infrastructure to improve the reliability and capacity of its power grid.
2. Regional integration and cross-border trade
Enhanced cooperation with ECOWAS aims to facilitate cross-border electricity trade, thereby optimizing regional integration.
3. Promotion of Decentralized Renewable Energies (DRE)
The country wants to accelerate the deployment of DRE and clean cooking solutions, while digitizing project monitoring to ensure their effectiveness.
4. Encouraging private investment
Concessions for electrification projects and subsidy mechanisms for mini-grids will be set up to stimulate private sector involvement.
5. Strengthening SENELEC’s Financial Viability
The government plans to optimize costs and gradually reduce subsidies to ensure the financial stability of the national electricity operator.
Reducing Social and Energy Inequalities
Despite an urban electrification rate of 97.1%, rural areas lag behind with only 64.5% coverage. What’s more, the poorest households have an electricity access rate of 17.4%, compared with 94.5% for the richest. The Pact therefore aims to reduce these disparities and promote inclusive electrification.
Conclusion: Towards a Sustainable Energy Transition
The National Energy Pact represents a crucial step towards universal, sustainable electrification in Senegal. By stabilizing the grid, diversifying the energy mix and promoting rural inclusion, the country could become a model of successful energy transition in West Africa. However, the success of this initiative will depend on the ability to effectively mobilize investment, particularly private investment…
