(Ecofin Agency) - Siemens signed with the government of Madagascar a memorandum of understanding to add 300MW of power to the country’s production capacity, by 2019. More generally, the agreement concerns measures to take to increase the country’s power output.

“The goal of this agreement is to increase the country’s national output and connect local populations to the power grid. A reliable and appropriate power supply system is a must for economic development,” said Sabine Dall’Omo, Siemens director for Southern and Eastern Africa.

In the short term, one of Siemens’ initiative is to build a 44MW gas-fueled power station for Antananarivo.

Presently, Madagascar has an installed capacity of 676MW for an electrification rate of about 20%.

Gwladys Johnson