Senegal has outlined an ambitious energy strategy designed to address the country’s reliance on expensive petroleum products and meet growing electricity demand. The government’s Vision 2050 plan establishes goals including expanding production capacity from 1.74 GW to 12 GW by mid-century, improving rural energy access, and advancing regional energy integration.
The nation currently generates approximately 72.5 percent of its electricity from oil-based fuels, resulting in high production costs between 34 and 38 cents per kilowatt-hour. Consumers pay around 24 cents per kilowatt-hour, with the government subsidizing the difference. A shift toward domestic natural gas and renewable sources could substantially reduce both generation expenses and government fiscal burden.
Renewable energy capacity has expanded significantly, reaching approximately 624.8 MW in 2025 compared to just 56 MW in 2014. Recent solar projects include a €90 million photovoltaic facility in Casamance that will supply clean power to over 235,000 households, and two solar installations at water treatment facilities in Thiès and Louga regions with combined capacity of 21 MW. The Taiba N’Diaye wind farm, operational since 2021, generates 158.7 MW and serves approximately 2 million people.
Parallel to renewable development, Senegal is expanding its natural gas infrastructure to transition away from heavy fuel. The state-owned pipeline operator is undertaking a €275 million initial phase of a 400-kilometer network to connect the offshore Greater Tortue Ahmeyim gas field to power generation facilities. In October, the Energy and Petroleum Ministry made 104 oil and gas exploration blocks available to investors, with several already under contract or undergoing technical assessment.
These initiatives reflect a dual approach combining immediate fossil fuel transition and long-term renewable energy expansion to achieve energy cost reductions and enhanced security for the nation’s growing power requirements.
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