By Anna Marie Valentine
In the bid to provide universal energy access by end of 2025, the Government of The Gambia through the Ministry is focused on providing sustainable forms of electricity like solar. The solar powered green mini grid will impact three communities, namely Sarra Demba Toro, Sarra Yorori and Yamu Belloh, with over 2000 households getting access to electricity at no costs. As part of his activities of vist to projects and developmental sites during his Meet The People Tour 2024, His Excellency, The President of The Republic of The Gambia commissioned a solar powered green mini-grid in Sarra Demba Torro. The mini-grid is funded by the Government of The Gambia through the Ministry of Petroleum and Energy in collaboration with the United National Development Fund. The grid has a capacity of 120KW,224 panels, rechargeable batteries and a hybrid inverter system ensuring uninterrupted electricity supply to the communities. Speaking at the project site,President Barrow highlighted that Universal energy access is a prioty for his government while hailing the the efforts of partners such as UNDP for complimenting government’s efforts towards achiving universal energy access.
Evelyn Edroma, UNDP Deputy Resident Coordinator mentioned that they partner with the community, the Chiefs in particular as they providede the land for the location of the grid sits , Adding that they have put up 224 panels and communities are beginning to use the electricity that is being generated. She also spoke on testimonies received from the community on the positive impacts of the grid, “We have heard stories from women who are now making popcorn, who have fridges where they are able to keep fish for a long period of time for them to run their businesses. We have also had schools that are being powered from the electricity so that children can be able to study and young men are also using the electricity to do some welding work”.she reitrated
The provision of electricity to these communities who cannot access energy through the national grid has immense advantages to their socio-economic growth. In an interview with press, Malick Gibba a resident of Sarra Demba Torro spoke on the positive aspects of the grid to the inhabitants of the villages, he said “We no longer struggle to store our foods, we no longer struggle to get cold water, we don’t struggle to charge our phones or store our food. We have access to storage facilities and to open businesses for our young people. This project will certainly improve the economic situation of the people”.
