Chad's government says construction of a major solar power project designed to improve electricity supplies to the capital, N'Djamena, is approaching completion.
Minister of Water and Energy Passalé Kanabé Marcelin inspected the Regional Emergency Solar Power Intervention Project (RESPITE) at Amboukna on October 7, 2026.
During the visit, the minister met engineers, technical specialists and representatives of the project's contractor, TBEA, to assess the remaining work ahead of commissioning.
35 MW solar generation capacity
The World Bank-financed development includes a photovoltaic solar power plant with a generation capacity of 35 megawatts.
It also features a 60 megawatt-hour battery energy storage system and a seven-kilometre transmission connection to N'Djamena's electricity network.
The project is intended to integrate solar generation with the capital's existing power infrastructure.
Commissioning targeted for late October
According to the Ministry of Energy, the facility is expected to enter service by the end of October 2026.
The construction works are reportedly in their final stages, with engineers reviewing technical requirements before the planned commissioning.
However, the authorities have not confirmed that the plant has already started generating electricity or delivering its full capacity to the grid.
Reducing reliance on thermal power generation
A central objective of the project is to reduce Chad's reliance on costly thermal electricity generation using liquid fuels.
The government expects greater solar generation capacity to support efforts to improve the efficiency of the electricity system and reduce production costs.
Minister Marcelin also announced plans to strengthen energy storage capacity with continued World Bank support.
Once operational, the Amboukna facility is expected to become an important component of the capital's electricity infrastructure and Chad's broader renewable energy development efforts.