Mauritania has taken a decisive step in its energy transition, signing a $300 million independent power producer (IPP) deal for a 220 MW hybrid solar-wind power plant under the African Development Bank’s (AfDB) flagship Desert to Power initiative.
The project, awarded to Ewa Green Energy, combines 160 MW of solar, 60 MW of wind, and a 370 MWh battery storage system, making it one of the most ambitious renewable energy investments in the Sahel to date.
The deal, signed in Nouakchott, establishes a 15-year build-operate-transfer (BOT) agreement with Mauritania’s national utility, SOMELEC, which will act as the power off-taker. Construction is slated to begin in 2025, with commissioning scheduled for September 2026.
A Landmark Project for Mauritania’s Energy Future
Mauritania’s energy system is under pressure from rising demand and reliance on imported fuels. According to the AfDB, the country has limited installed capacity and low rural electrification rates, with many households still depending on expensive and polluting diesel generators.
This new hybrid plant will significantly boost national capacity, delivering an estimated 60 MW of reliable, dispatchable supply on average once intermittency is balanced by the integrated battery. Beyond power generation, it is designed to strengthen grid stability and reduce the cost of electricity, while positioning Mauritania as a future hub for green hydrogen and low-carbon industrial development.
Turning Africa’s Sun into Energy Security
The deal also serves as a flagship project under the AfDB’s Desert to Power initiative, which aims to mobilize 10 GW of solar power across 11 Sahel countries. The programme seeks to standardize contract terms and attract private investment for renewable energy in regions with vast solar resources but limited access to electricity.
The IPP Joint Protocol applied here for the first time in Mauritania creates a standardized framework for contracts, risk allocation, and investor protections. AfDB officials have hailed the agreement as a model transaction that could be replicated across Africa to fast-track financing and deployment.
“This project demonstrates the bankability of Desert to Power’s framework and sends a clear signal to private investors in Africa’s renewable future,” said Daniel Schroth, AfDB’s Director of Renewable Energy.
Economic, Social and Climate Impact
The hybrid solar-wind project carries multiple benefits for Mauritania:
- Grid reliability: The 370 MWh battery system ensures round-the-clock supply, tackling intermittency and smoothing peak demand.
- Energy access: The project is expected to contribute to Mauritania’s goal of achieving universal electricity access by 2030.
- Lower costs: By replacing expensive fuel imports with renewable power, SOMELEC can reduce tariffs and fiscal pressure.
- Climate action: The facility will cut carbon emissions and align Mauritania with Paris Agreement goals.
- Investment signal: A $300 million private-sector investment underlines confidence in Mauritania’s renewable energy policies and reforms.
Risks and Challenges Ahead
While the signing is a milestone, several risks remain:
- Project delivery: Constructing a 220 MW hybrid plant plus large-scale storage in the Sahel within 18–24 months demands strong supply chains and logistics.
- Grid integration: Technical readiness for large-scale battery storage and renewable balancing must be carefully managed.
- Financial resilience: Currency fluctuations, PPA terms, and tariff adjustments will be closely monitored by investors and lenders.
- Replicability: The ultimate test of the Desert to Power model will be whether this PPA structure can be rolled out across other Sahel countries.
Government and AfDB Endorsement
At the signing ceremony, Mauritania’s Minister of Economy and Finance, Sid’Ahmed Ould Bouh, described the deal as “a new chapter in Mauritania’s energy story, proof of investor confidence, and a catalyst for sustainable growth.”
The AfDB highlighted the project as a cornerstone of Desert to Power’s rollout, underlining the importance of private-sector engagement in Africa’s energy transition.
What Comes Next?
The next key milestones for the project include:
- Financial close and mobilization of funds.
- Construction start in 2025.
- Grid interconnection with a new substation and transmission line.
- Commissioning by September 2026.
If successful, the project will not only transform Mauritania’s energy mix but also act as a template for large-scale renewable investments across the Sahel. For AfDB, it would represent proof of concept for Desert to Power’s ability to move beyond ambition to delivery.
Also read: GSU Inaugurates 50-MW Solar Farm in Chad, Boosting Africa’s Clean Energy Transition
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is the Mauritania hybrid solar-wind project?
The Mauritania hybrid solar-wind project is a $300 million independent power producer (IPP) deal that will build a 220 MW renewable plant combining 160 MW of solar, 60 MW of wind, and a 370 MWh battery system under the Desert to Power initiative.
2. Who is developing Mauritania’s new renewable energy plant?
The project is being developed by Ewa Green Energy under a 15-year build-operate-transfer (BOT) agreement. The national utility SOMELEC will purchase electricity from the plant through a long-term power purchase agreement (PPA).
3. When will Mauritania’s solar-wind power plant be operational?
Construction is set to begin in 2025, with the hybrid solar-wind plant expected to be commissioned by September 2026, according to project developers and the African Development Bank (AfDB).
4. How does the project support the Desert to Power initiative?
This project is one of the first major applications of the Desert to Power IPP Joint Protocol, designed by the AfDB to standardize renewable energy contracts in the Sahel. It serves as a model for private investment in Africa’s renewable energy transition.
5. What benefits will the Mauritania renewable energy project bring?
Key benefits include:
- Increased grid stability with battery storage.
- Lower dependence on fossil fuel imports.
- Support for universal electricity access by 2030.
- Reduction of carbon emissions.
- Attraction of further renewable energy investment in Africa.
6. Why is Mauritania investing in hybrid solar and wind power?
Mauritania has abundant solar and wind resources, but faces low electrification rates and energy insecurity. By combining solar, wind, and storage, the country can ensure reliable clean energy, cut costs, and support green hydrogen development.
7. How will the Mauritania solar-wind project impact Africa’s energy transition?
The project demonstrates how independent power producers (IPPs) can drive Africa’s clean energy shift. As part of the Desert to Power initiative, it shows that large-scale renewable investments in the Sahel are feasible, replicable, and capable of delivering sustainable electricity access.
