Senegal has launched construction of the Warkhokh solar power plant in Linguère — a 50 MW project set to supply electricity to 90,000 households and cut 60,000 tonnes of CO₂ emissions annually — marking a key milestone in the country’s Vision 2050 transformation plan and its target of reaching 40% renewable energy capacity by 2030.
Backed by the government, state-owned utility Senelec, and Chinese technology group Huawei, the Warkhokh facility is sited in the plains of the Djolof region, where solar irradiation levels reach an estimated 5.8 kWh per square metre per day. Senegal’s total installed solar capacity has reached 671 MW in 2026, supported by an electrification rate of 84%.
A Surge in Utility-Scale Projects
Axian Energy’s 60 MW NEA Kolda solar plant, currently under construction, has secured €72 million in financing and will integrate 72 MWh of battery storage. Expected to come online in late 2026, it will generate 91 GWh annually and supply more than 235,000 households. Senelec has also signed agreements with Chinese group CNTIC for two 50 MW solar plants each paired with 90 MWh battery systems, scheduled for delivery between 2026 and 2027.
On the industrial front, ACWA Power of Saudi Arabia signed agreements with Senegal in October 2025 for the Grande-Côte seawater desalination project, which will deliver 400,000 cubic metres per day of potable water to Dakar — fully powered by renewable electricity — and is expected to reach full operation by 2031. Axian Energy’s 15 MW Minersol solar project at the Port of Bargny is also targeting energy-intensive industrial users.
A Macroeconomic Shield
Scaling solar capacity has become a macroeconomic priority for Senegal. Despite entering oil production in 2024, the country remains exposed to hydrocarbon price volatility through its reliance on thermal generation. Solar power is estimated to be 41% cheaper than the lowest-cost fossil fuel, and battery systems allow it to cover peak demand, reducing dependence on diesel backup and improving grid stability as the energy mix shifts toward cleaner, cost-stable generation.
Source: prospect-intel.com