Barrow Acknowledges Power-Sector Shortcomings, Promises Improved Electricity Supply by End of October

By Staff Writer

President Adama Barrow on Tuesday acknowledged shortcomings in his government’s planning and electricity generation and maintenance systems as he addressed mounting public frustration over widespread power outages, promising that the country’s electricity supply would improve by the end of October.

In a nationally televised address from State House on Sept. 8, Mr. Barrow said the government was taking steps to increase domestic generation capacity, including the installation of an additional 24 megawatts at the Brikama Power Station and plans for a 50-megawatt solar plant in Soma.

“I must admit, however, the shortcomings in our planning, power generation, and maintenance systems to take corrective measures,” the president said.

His address came amid growing anger over persistent electricity cuts that have disrupted households and businesses across the country. Mr. Barrow acknowledged the hardship caused by the outages, saying he was aware that families were enduring extreme heat, children were studying in darkness, and households were losing food because of the lack of refrigeration.

“I am aware of your discomfort and frustrations wherever you may be,” he said.

Mr. Barrow attributed part of the current crisis to broader regional electricity shortages, saying countries connected through the West African Power Pool were experiencing similar problems. He cited record electricity demand, failures of major generating units, and seasonal conditions affecting hydropower production through the Organisation for the Development of the Gambia River, or OMVG.

But the president also conceded that domestic weaknesses had contributed to the situation.

As part of the government’s response, Mr. Barrow said an additional 24-megawatt generation unit was in the final stages of installation at the Brikama Power Station and was expected to be commissioned by the end of October.

He also said a contract had been awarded for a 50-megawatt solar power plant in Soma and that the contractor was mobilizing resources to begin construction. Solar generation, he said, would help meet daytime demand while allowing conventional generators to be conserved for heavier evening use.

The president also announced the establishment of a Presidential Task Force on Electricity Supply, chaired by Vice President Muhammed B.S. Jallow. The task force will report directly to him and provide public updates on the electricity situation every two weeks, he said.

Mr. Barrow defended his administration’s broader record on electrification, saying electricity access had increased from 36 percent of the population in 2017 to about 90 percent today. He said expanding access had brought electricity to communities that previously had none, but acknowledged that the government must now make similar progress in generating enough reliable power to meet increased demand.

“What we have achieved in increasing access to electricity is what we are determined to do for power generation,” he said.

The president also appealed for restraint following public anger over the outages, warning against damaging transformers, power lines and other public infrastructure.

“You have the right to express your views honestly, but let us not, in our frustration, tear down what we built with our own hands through public funds,” Mr. Barrow said.

Destroying electricity infrastructure, he said, would further disrupt supplies and divert government resources toward repairs and replacements.

Mr. Barrow stopped short of promising an immediate end to the outages but gave his administration a timeline for improvement.

“I will not promise you what the Government cannot deliver, but we commit that the electricity supply situation in the country will improve by the end of October 2026,” he said.

He concluded by asking Gambians to remain patient and exercise restraint as engineers and government officials work to stabilize the electricity system.

“Your engineers are awake, the Government is awake, and your President is awake with you,” Mr. Barrow said. “We think about your plight and will not rest until there is light in your homes.”