Saudi Arabian power developer and investor ACWA Power has signed two memoranda of understanding (MoU) with the National Water Company of Senegal (SONES) as well as the National Electricity Company of Senegal (SENELEC), strengthening the company’s presence in Senegal’s burgeoning energy sector.
The first MoU will see ACWA Power, in collaboration with SONES, developing a 300,000m3 per day seawater reverse osmosis plant approximately 40km north-east of the capital city, Dakar – the first to be developed in the country under a public-private partnership model as well as the largest in sub-Saharan Africa.
“The signing of these agreements between the Saudi Group ACWA Power and the Ministry of Water and Sanitation, on behalf of Senegal is in anticipation of rapid demographic growth and consumer demand in the Dakar-Mbour-Thies triangle, which represents over 5 million consumers. The agreement we have just signed is above all an essential step taken in response to the demand for drinking water within the framework of the Plan Sénégal Émergent,” stated Charles Fall, Managing Director of SONES.
The second MoU will see ACWA Power and SENELEC constructing the Cap des Biches Combined Cycle Gas Turbine Plant. The project, with an initial estimated capacity of 160MW, will leverage sizeable gas reserves expected to be brought online by large-scale projects underway in the region, forming part of the country’s gas-to-power strategy.
“We are deeply honored to contribute towards the strengthening ties of Saudi Arabia, our home country, and Senegal via the signing of two landmark MoUs today and we extend our sincerest gratitude to the Senegalese leadership for their trust and confidence in ACWA Power’s abilities to realize these strategic projects for the country. In line with our mandate to provide reliable delivery of power and desalinated water, ACWA Power is leveraging its global expertise to support the nation’s sustainable and socio-economic development for years to come,” added Mohammad Abunawwan, ACWA Power Chairman.
The two MoU’s were signed in the presence of H.E. Macky Sall, President of the Republic of Senegal; H.E. Eng. Khalid bin Abdulaziz Al Falih, Minister of Investment of Saudi Arabia; and H.E. Fahd bin Ali Al-Dosary, Saudi’s Ambassador to Senegal.
