Central African Republic has inaugurated a new 50-megawatt solar power plant near Bangui, a project expected to increase the country’s electricity generation capacity by more than 60%.
The photovoltaic facility, developed by Abu Dhabi-based Global South Utilities (GSU), includes 15 megawatt-hours of battery storage and is expected to supply electricity to more than 300,000 households.
Located about 10 kilometres from the capital, Bangui, the plant was completed in just 10 months, according to GSU.
The company said concessional financing from the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development supported construction of the project.
Ali Alshimmari, GSU’s managing director and chief executive, said the financing helped make the development possible as the company expands its renewable energy investments across Africa.
GSU has previously developed a 50 MW solar power project in Chad.
The new plant could significantly expand electricity supply in Central African Republic, where access remains among the lowest in the world. World Bank data shows that only 18.2% of the population had access to electricity in 2024.
Persistent power shortages have become a major challenge for the government as it seeks to improve infrastructure and economic activity.
President Faustin-Archange Touadera raised the country’s energy problems during talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin in March, asking Moscow for assistance in addressing shortages.
The newly inaugurated solar facility represents one of the largest recent investments in Central African Republic’s power sector and is expected to reduce pressure on the country’s limited electricity network while inc