The Gambia River Basin Development Organization (OMVG) Director of Environment and Sustainable Development, Demba Jallow, said there are efforts being spearheaded by member States to slash power production costs with the view to easing the burden on consumers.
“Efforts are ongoing for cheaper power production as gas power plant construction is underway in Senegal, solar’s installed generating capacity in Gambia,” he told JollofNews in an exclusive interview. He then added that the Soupiti and Kaleta Dams in Guinea Conakry are set to supply excess power to other countries.
According to him, the contracts are already signed, awaiting the OMVG power supply line in Guinea Bissau to be commissioned in December 2023.
Concerns are mounting over rising power utility bills are skyrocketing and a good number of people have lost hope about governments ability to address the issue.
To set the record straight, Jallow further stated that OMVG Energy project provides the infrastructure – medium for modern electricity exchanges.
“In the electricity market of West Africa, there are buyers and sellers. The power utility companies are responsible for negotiating power purchase agreements with sellers” Jallow added.
“The utilities are to leverage on the infrastructure to buy cheaper power anywhere in the region,” he added.
However, Jallow acknowledged the fact that the recent cost of production rose sharply.
“Power ultility companies must also have good negotiation skills for win-win power purchase contracts to enable them to deliver cheaper electricity to their customers. Some utilities like NAWEC seems still traditional.”
He further said that less leakage and sound financial management practices are needed to put the companies on the right track.
