
Ousmane Sonko's project for cheaper electricity using Senegalese-Mauritanian gas relaunched
Kosmos Energy has announced a new operational phase, "phase 1+", for the Grand Tortue Ahmeyim GTA gas field, aiming to boost gas production to supply electricity generation in Senegal and Mauritania. This development aligns with the objective set by Ousmane Sonko, then Prime Minister, in August 2025, to end distant gas imports and utilize local production. Kosmos Energy, the GTA operator, detailed this in its second-quarter 2026 report, indicating that this phase will leverage existing infrastructure to serve national markets. Agreements between the two countries for domestic gas supply for electricity production are still pending signature this year, though preparations are well underway. In Senegal, a gas-fired power plant is under construction near Saint-Louis, and the country is set to begin building a gas pipeline network this quarter, with pipes from China expected soon. Mauritania has already signed a 25-year agreement with a Saudi electricity company to develop, finance, and operate a 230-megawatt gas power plant in N'Diago, also powered by GTA gas. The project is expected to significantly reduce electricity production costs for SENELEC, lower household bills, decrease state subsidies in the electricity sector, and enhance the competitiveness of Senegalese businesses through cheaper energy, potentially saving at least 143 billion FCFA.



