• Gas-fired plants and renewables anchor Mauritania’s electricity expansion plan
• New thermal, solar, and wind projects target rising urban power demand
• Grid upgrades support goal of full electricity access by 2030

Mauritania is seeking to strengthen its electricity supply to absorb fast-rising demand, particularly in Nouakchott and other major cities. The country’s strategy is built on the simultaneous mobilization of both fossil and renewable resources, combining locally produced natural gas with solar and wind power, alongside expanded infrastructure.

Thermal power, already dominant in the electricity mix, is expected to play a central role in securing supply over the coming years. Authorities have confirmed progress on the expansion of the Nouakchott thermal power plant, which is set to increase capacity from 180 MW to 252 MW. Two additional gas-based projects are planned in the medium term: a 225-MW plant in Ndiago, supplied by gas from the Greater Tortue Ahmeyim (GTA) field now in production, and a 300-MW plant linked to the Banda field, with operations scheduled to begin in 2028.

At the same time, renewable energy is set to take on a growing role in boosting electricity supply. Construction began in December 2025 on a 220-MW hybrid solar and wind power plant equipped with 370 MWh of storage capacity. The project will be fully financed by the private sector and will add to renewable capacity that already accounts for 44.36% of the country’s energy mix, according to the National Energy Pact published under the Mission 300 initiative.

Production capacity expansion is being matched by sustained investment in infrastructure. The government has announced that equipment for the Nouakchott–Zouerate high-voltage transmission line is expected to be delivered by the end of February, with commissioning scheduled for 2026. Authorities have also confirmed the launch of tenders for the Nouakchott–Néma interconnection and ongoing work to reinforce the electricity distribution network in Nouakchott.

These projects come amid steady growth in electricity demand and align with Mauritania’s commitments under its National Energy Pact. The country aims to provide electricity access to an additional 3.4 million people by 2030, reaching a national access rate of 100%, up from 55% currently. This trajectory also relies on raising the share of renewables to 70% of total generation and increasing installed capacity by a factor of 1.66 by 2030.

Abdoullah Diop