Nouakchott, Mauritania – Mauritania is poised to take another significant stride in its renewable energy development with the advancement of a crucial 60 MW hybrid power project. Structured as a Public-Private Partnership (PPP), this initiative combines wind and solar generation with integrated battery storage, underscoring the nation's commitment to sustainable, reliable energy. A key milestone is approaching, with the investor agreement expected to be finalized within the next 2-3 months (by mid-2025).
This project represents a concrete step in leveraging Mauritania's world-class renewable resources and attracting private sector capital and expertise to meet its ambitious energy goals.
Project Highlights: Powering Progress Through Partnership
- Capacity: 60 MW hybrid generation (wind and solar)
- Technology: Includes essential battery energy storage systems (BESS) for enhanced grid stability and reliability, ensuring power availability even when the sun isn't shining or the wind isn't blowing.
- Structure: Public-Private Partnership (PPP), inviting private investors to develop, finance, and operate the facility alongside the government.
- Timeline: Investor agreement anticipated in Q2/Q3 2025.
Strategic Importance in a Thriving Renewable Hub
Mauritania has rapidly emerged as a focal point for significant renewable energy and green hydrogen investments, thanks to its exceptional solar irradiation and wind potential along the Atlantic coast. This 60 MW project fits seamlessly into a larger national strategy:
- Building on Success: Renewables already contribute over 40% of Mauritania's electricity production, a strong foundation for further expansion.
- Universal Access Goal: The project supports the national target of achieving universal electricity access by 2030, bringing reliable power to more communities and businesses.
- Enabling Policy Environment: Recent reforms have explicitly opened the energy sector to PPPs, creating a clear framework for collaboration between the public and private sectors. This approach is vital for mobilizing the investment needed to meet growing energy demand and power economic diversification.
Part of a Broader Green Energy Ecosystem
This 60 MW PPP is not an isolated initiative. It is part of a dynamic landscape of energy development in Mauritania:
- Mega-Scale Ambition: Projects like GreenGo Energy's proposed 60 GW "Megaton Moon" hybrid solar and wind initiative (focused on green hydrogen) highlight the sheer scale of Mauritania's renewable potential and its attractiveness for global players.
- Grid Modernization: The critical role of energy storage is recognized and supported. The World Bank’s DREAM Project, approved in March 2025, will finance the country’s first large-scale battery storage facility, complementing projects like this 60 MW PPP by enhancing grid flexibility.
- Active PPP Pipeline: The government is actively promoting PPPs across the energy value chain, engaging with numerous international developers on solar, wind, and green hydrogen ventures.
Why This Project Matters for Mauritania and Investors
The 60 MW hybrid PPP holds significant implications:
- Enhanced Energy Security: By adding dispatchable renewable power (thanks to battery storage), the project will contribute to a more stable national grid and increase reliable electricity supply, fostering economic activity and improving quality of life.
- Positive Investment Climate: The project showcases Mauritania's commitment to operator-friendly fiscal policies and its openness to foreign investment, reinforcing the positive signals sent by recent agreements with major international energy companies.
- Sustainable Development: Integrating battery storage maximizes the utilization of intermittent wind and solar resources, further reducing reliance on fossil fuels and advancing Mauritania’s decarbonization pathway.
Outlook: A Model for Regional Energy Transition
With the investor agreement imminent, the 60 MW hybrid renewable PPP is set to become a tangible example of successful private sector participation in Mauritania's energy future. It serves not only as a crucial asset for the country's development but also as a potential model for integrating renewable energy and storage across West Africa.
This project reinforces Mauritania's position as a leading destination for investment in the green economy, accelerating its energy transition and paving the way for further sustainable growth.