Senegal’s National Agency for Renewable Energy (ANER) has installed more than 12,114 solar-powered streetlights across the Saint-Louis region as part of phases 1 and 2 of its national public-solar lighting program. A third phase of 9,430 additional lights is expected to begin before 2026, bringing the region’s total to 21,544 streetlights.
What Happened & Where
The large-scale deployment covers urban and rural localities in the Saint-Louis region including the cities of Saint-Louis, Dagana, and Podor. Alongside the streetlights, ANER has installed discrete solar kits in more than 78 localities to power health posts, schools, and places of worship.
The roll-out is paired with a citizen awareness campaign designed to inform communities about the benefits of renewable energy and to promote community ownership, which ANER believes is essential for long-term sustainability.
Why It Matters
The installation aims to:
- Improve public safety at night by reducing accidents and deterring crime.
- Boost economic activity by enabling markets and small businesses to operate into the evening.
- Cut reliance on fossil fuels by replacing diesel-powered or grid-based streetlights in areas where wiring is costly or unreliable.
- Advance climate goals by reducing carbon emissions and supporting Senegal’s renewable energy transition.
Details and On-the-Ground Reality
ANER’s announcement came during a launch event for its public outreach campaign. Director-General Diouma Kobor emphasized the importance of coupling physical infrastructure with public education to ensure proper use and maintenance.
The staged approach phases 1 through 3 follows a deliberate rollout strategy:
- Install the lights.
- Monitor performance and make adjustments.
- Scale up to more areas while strengthening local capacity for upkeep.
The recent streetlights use modern solar technology, including:
- Dedicated photovoltaic (PV) panels.
- Lithium battery storage for nighttime operation.
- Smart charge controllers.
- High-efficiency LED luminaires ranging from 24–60W.
- Automated dusk-to-dawn controls.
These specifications are designed to maximize efficiency, minimize maintenance, and provide reliable lighting for many years.
Also read: Solar vs. Electricity Which Is More Suitable and Affordable for Households?
Part of a Bigger Plan
The Saint-Louis installation is part of a nationwide goal to deploy over 100,000 solar streetlights. ANER’s broader portfolio shows a clear objective: expand solar lighting across Senegal’s urban centers, rural villages, and community service areas.
In 2022, a major contract was awarded to supply 67,000 solar streetlights to Senegal, signaling the government’s commitment to meeting its renewable energy targets. The program combines local implementation with international partnerships to ensure quality and speed of delivery.
Expected Impacts and Co-Benefits
Safety and Security
Better-lit streets can reduce traffic accidents, discourage petty crime, and help residents feel safer traveling at night.
Economic Activity
Lighting extends productive hours, allowing street vendors, shop owners, and market traders to operate later into the evening. This can directly increase household incomes and stimulate local economies.
Public Services
The solar kits installed in clinics, schools, and worship centers improve service delivery in areas with unreliable or no grid electricity. Clinics can operate essential equipment at night, and schools can host evening classes or community events.
Climate Action
By replacing diesel-based lighting and avoiding the carbon footprint of extending grid infrastructure, the project contributes to Senegal’s Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG-7 (Affordable and Clean Energy) and SDG-13 (Climate Action).
Risks, Costs, and Maintenance Challenges
While the installation numbers are impressive, maintaining thousands of solar streetlights across multiple regions is a major challenge. The long-term success of the project depends on:
- Durability of materials in harsh weather conditions.
- Battery replacement every 5–7 years.
- Prevention of vandalism and theft of components.
- Local maintenance capacity to respond to breakdowns quickly.
ANER’s emphasis on “citizen appropriation” encouraging communities to take ownership is meant to address these risks. By ensuring that locals understand how the systems work and who to contact for repairs, the likelihood of prolonged outages is reduced.
The choice of components such as MPPT charge controllers, LiFePO4 batteries, and weather-resistant LED fixtures is also aimed at ensuring longevity. However, without a strong maintenance budget and supply chain for spare parts, even the best technology can fail prematurely.
Funding and Procurement
Large-scale solar lighting programs require substantial upfront investment. Senegal’s program has been financed through a mix of government funding and partnerships with private suppliers and international donors.
Contracts with global manufacturers ensure rapid delivery of thousands of units but also require oversight to maintain transparency and guarantee local training and spare part availability.
Also read: How Namibia Is Tackling Drought and Desertification with Innovation and Renewable Energy
Phase 3 of the Saint-Louis project will add 9,430 more streetlights before 2026, significantly expanding coverage in rural and peri-urban areas. Nationwide, ANER’s goal is to complete the installation of over 100,000 solar streetlights while continuing to install solar kits in key public service buildings.
The program’s long-term success will hinge on:
- Building robust local maintenance networks.
- Ensuring budget allocations for replacement parts.
- Sustaining public engagement to protect infrastructure.
