Senegal aims for universal electricity access by 2030

The Senegalese government has launched the National Energy Pact to expand electricity access to an additional 6.6 million people by 2030. The plan focuses on strengthening infrastructure, regional integration, and private investment.

Share:

Comprehensive energy news coverage, updated nonstop

Annual subscription

8.25$/month*

*billed annually at 99$/year for the first year then 149,00$/year ​

Unlimited access • Archives included • Professional invoice

OTHER ACCESS OPTIONS

Monthly subscription

Unlimited access • Archives included

5.2$/month*
then 14.90$ per month thereafter

FREE ACCOUNT

3 articles offered per month

FREE

*Prices are excluding VAT, which may vary depending on your location or professional status

Since 2021: 35,000 articles • 150+ analyses per week

Senegal has unveiled a strategic plan aimed at achieving universal electricity access by 2030. Currently, the national electrification rate stands at 84%, but disparities persist between urban and rural areas. The National Energy Pact aligns with the Operational Plan for Universal Access SEforALL and the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal 7, with the goal of providing electricity to an additional 6.6 million people.

A structured plan for sustainable electrification

This programme also aims to increase the share of renewable energy to 40% of the energy mix and to facilitate access to modern cooking solutions for 15.8 million people. To finance these objectives, the Senegalese government plans to mobilise $2.3 billion in private sector investments.

Strategic pillars of the National Energy Pact

The project is based on five key pillars. First, modernising energy infrastructure is crucial to stabilising the grid and ensuring a more efficient distribution. Regional integration, through enhanced cross-border electricity trade within the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), is another critical component.

Additionally, the development of decentralised renewable energy (DRE), particularly solar mini-grids, aims to strengthen rural electrification. The plan also includes incentives for private sector participation through concessions and targeted subsidy mechanisms. Finally, the financial viability of the National Electricity Company of Senegal (SENELEC) must be reinforced by optimising costs and gradually reducing public subsidies.

A financial and logistical challenge

While Senegal has one of the highest electrification rates in West Africa, significant disparities remain among households. In urban areas, access stands at 97.1%, compared to 64.5% in rural areas. Moreover, only 17.4% of the poorest households have access to electricity, compared to 94.5% of the wealthiest.

The implementation of the National Energy Pact will need to address these inequalities while securing the necessary funding. Private sector engagement and energy mix diversification will be crucial to achieving the targets set for 2030.

The gradual exit from CfD contracts is turning stable assets into infrastructures exposed to higher volatility, challenging expected returns and traditional financing models for the renewable sector.
The Canadian government introduces major legislative changes to the Energy Efficiency Act to support its national strategy and adapt to the realities of digital commerce.
Quebec becomes the only Canadian province where a carbon price still applies directly to fuels, as Ottawa eliminated the public-facing carbon tax in April 2025.
New Delhi launches a 72.8 bn INR incentive plan to build a 6,000-tonne domestic capacity for permanent magnets, amid rising Chinese export restrictions on critical components.
The rise of CfDs, PPAs and capacity mechanisms signals a structural shift: markets alone no longer cover 10–30-year financing needs, while spot prices have surged 400% in Europe since 2019.
Germany plans to finalise the €5.8bn ($6.34bn) purchase of a 25.1% stake in TenneT Germany to strengthen its control over critical national power grid infrastructure.
The Ghanaian government is implementing a reform of its energy system focused on increasing the use of local natural gas, aiming to reduce electricity production costs and limit the sector's financial imbalance.
On the 50th anniversary of its independence, Suriname announced a national roadmap including major public investment to develop its offshore oil reserves.
In its latest review, the International Energy Agency warns of structural blockages in South Korea’s electricity market, calling for urgent reforms to close the gap on renewables and reduce dependence on imported fossil fuels.
China's power generation capacity recorded strong growth in October, driven by continued expansion of solar and wind, according to official data from the National Energy Administration.
The 2026–2031 offshore programme proposes opening over one billion acres to oil exploration, triggering a regulatory clash between Washington, coastal states and legal advocacy groups.
The government of Mozambique is consolidating its gas transport and regasification assets under a public vehicle, anchoring the strategic Beira–Rompco corridor to support Rovuma projects and respond to South Africa’s gas dependency.
The British system operator NESO initiates a consultation process to define the methodology of eleven upcoming regional strategic plans aimed at coordinating energy needs across England, Scotland and Wales.
The Belém summit ends with a technical compromise prioritising forest investment and adaptation, while avoiding fossil fuel discussions and opening a climate–trade dialogue likely to trigger new regulatory disputes.
The Asian Development Bank and the Kyrgyz Republic have signed a financing agreement to strengthen energy infrastructure, climate resilience and regional connectivity, with over $700mn committed through 2027.
A study from the Oxford Institute for Energy Studies finds that energy-from-waste with carbon capture delivers nearly twice the climate benefit of converting waste into aviation fuel.
Signed for 25 years, the new concession contract between Sipperec, EDF and Enedis covers 87 municipalities in the Île-de-France region and commits the parties to managing and developing the public electricity distribution network until 2051.
The French Energy Regulatory Commission publishes its 2023–2024 report, detailing the crisis impact on gas and electricity markets and the measures deployed to support competition and rebuild consumer trust.
Gathered in Belém, states from Africa, Asia, Latin America and Europe support the adoption of a timeline for the gradual withdrawal from fossil fuels, despite expected resistance from several producer countries.
The E3 and the United States submit a resolution to the IAEA to formalise Iran's non-cooperation following the June strikes, consolidating the legal basis for tougher energy and financial sanctions.

All the latest energy news, all the time

Annual subscription

8.25$/month*

*billed annually at 99$/year for the first year then 149,00$/year ​

Unlimited access - Archives included - Pro invoice

Monthly subscription

Unlimited access • Archives included

5.2$/month*
then 14.90$ per month thereafter

*Prices shown are exclusive of VAT, which may vary according to your location or professional status.

Since 2021: 30,000 articles - +150 analyses/week.