Gabon has officially commissioned the first 8.5 megawatts (MW) of the Mayumba gas-fired thermal power plant, marking a key step in expanding electricity generation in the country’s southern region. The inauguration ceremony was held on January 23, local media reported.
Located in Nyanga province, the facility’s initial operational phase is expected to help ease long-standing electricity supply constraints in the area. The Mayumba plant is being developed under a public-private partnership between the Gabonese state, the state-owned Gabon Power Company a subsidiary of the Gabon Strategic Investment Fund and Perenco Gabon, the oil and gas producer responsible for supplying the plant’s natural gas.
Gas is transported from offshore fields operated by Perenco to the Mayumba site, while construction continues on the power line connecting Mayumba to Tchibanga. This infrastructure will allow electricity produced at the plant to be fed into the national grid, providing power to both urban centers and communities along the corridor.
The project is designed to expand in successive phases. Following the current 8.5 MW operational phase, the plant’s installed capacity is planned to rise to around 20 MW in an intermediate stage, eventually reaching 50 MW. Gabonese authorities have emphasized that these expansions are part of a broader roadmap to sustainably strengthen electricity supply in southern Gabon.
The Mayumba gas power plant originates from efforts by Gabonese authorities to address structural electricity deficits in the south while promoting the local use of natural gas. In 2024, the project partners carried out a contractual update to accelerate implementation, targeting the delivery of the first megawatts by 2025. Under the revised arrangements, Perenco committed to installing generation equipment and ensuring natural gas supply, while Gabon Power Company oversaw grid connection works and electrification along the Mayumba–Tchibanga corridor.
The official handover of the plant’s first phase to the state fulfills contractual obligations and clears the way for subsequent development stages. Officials said the facility will play a critical role in supporting regional development, providing reliable electricity for households, businesses, and public services.
Analysts noted that the project reflects Gabon’s broader strategy to leverage its domestic natural gas resources for power generation, reduce reliance on imported electricity, and promote public-private partnerships in the energy sector. Once fully completed, the Mayumba plant’s 50 MW capacity is expected to make a significant contribution to Gabon’s electricity generation mix, particularly in the country’s south, which has historically faced intermittent power supply.
The commissioning of the Mayumba plant underscores Gabon’s ongoing efforts to modernize its energy infrastructure and enhance access to reliable electricity, supporting economic growth and improving living standards in underserved regions.
