By Fatou Sillah
The government is working with the World Bank on a major 150-megawatt solar energy project in Soma that is expected to significantly expand electricity generation capacity and eventually lead to a national power surplus, according to the Minister of Information, Media, and Broadcasting Services, Dr. Ismaila Ceesay.
Speaking in an interview with West Coast Radio, Dr. Ceesay said the initiative forms part of broader efforts to strengthen The Gambia’s energy infrastructure and improve national electricity supply.
“We are working with the World Bank to build a 150-megawatt solar plant in Soma, which, when it comes, Gambia will have surplus electricity,” he said. “We started with 50, so the contract will be signed very soon; they will scale it up to 150 megawatts.”
Dr. Ceesay said the project reflects ongoing government action to address energy challenges and expand access across the country.
“It means we are doing something about it. It’s not like we are sitting and doing nothing; we are doing something about it,” he said.
He also defended recent comments by President Adama Barrow on the state of electricity supply, saying the president’s remarks were meant to provide context on government efforts rather than suggest detachment from public concerns.
“He was just giving context. We have expanded access across the country to 90% of the population,” he said.
Dr. Ceesay added that President Barrow remains personally concerned about persistent power shortages affecting citizens.
“You think the president will sleep at night when he knows that some Gambians don’t have electricity? He doesn’t sleep at night; it is a burden,” he said.
Beyond the energy sector, he pointed to other infrastructure initiatives aimed at improving essential services, including water supply. “That is why today we have just launched the WASIP water project in Sifo, which will give water to one million urban Gambians very soon; the project is ongoing,” he said.
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