• Two aging gas turbines commissioned in 1977 are being replaced at Port-Gentil

• Installed capacity is expected to rise to 40–50 MW from 25–30 MW

• Electricity projects totaling CFA1,134.5 billion are planned for 2024–2026

Gabon has launched the modernization of the Port-Gentil thermal power plant, replacing two gas turbines that have supplied electricity to the country’s economic capital since 1977. The announcement was made on February 3 following a site inspection by the Minister for Universal Access to Water and Energy, Philippe Tonangoye.

According to officials, the turbines, which have reached the end of their operating life, will be gradually decommissioned to allow for the installation of two new units with a capacity of 25 megawatts each.

The work requires a temporary shutdown of the thermal plant. During this period, electricity supply to the city will be maintained through alternative arrangements. “Backup generators will be deployed to maintain the balance between supply and demand during the works,” an official statement said.

The statement does not specify the project contractor, the allocated budget, or a detailed work schedule. Some local media reports suggest the new turbines could be commissioned by June 2026, though this has not been officially confirmed. Turkish company AKSA Enerji has also been mentioned, but its precise role in the project has not been formally detailed.

Once completed, the plant’s installed capacity is expected to increase to between 40 and 50 megawatts, from an estimated 25 to 30 megawatts currently, according to official information.

An initiative to strengthen access to electricity

The replacement of the Port-Gentil gas turbines forms part of a broader set of initiatives by the state to strengthen the country’s power generation capacity. According to official data reported by Ecofin Agency, Gabon had an installed electricity generation capacity of 704 megawatts in 2023, mainly from thermal and hydroelectric plants.

To meet demand and reduce power outages, several projects have been launched in recent years. In January 2026, the state received the first phase of the Mayumba gas-fired thermal power plant, with an initial capacity of 8.5 megawatts to supply the local grid, with further capacity increases planned in stages.

At the same time, a public fund dedicated to energy and water has been established to mobilize resources for financing electricity infrastructure and improving supply continuity. As reported by Ecofin Agency, Gabon plans to allocate CFA1,134.5 billion ($2.03 billion) to electricity projects over the 2024–2026 period.

Abdel-Latif Boureima