Senegal is on course to achieve universal electricity access by 2029, a year ahead of the global target set under the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 7 (SDG7), the International Energy Agency (IEA) said in its February report Electricity 2026.
The goal forms part of Senegal’s Energy Compact under the Mission 300 initiative, which aims to raise the country’s electricity access rate by 2.9 percent annually to reach full nationwide coverage.
The IEA highlighted that Senegal already enjoys one of the highest electricity access rates in sub-Saharan Africa. In 2024, 84 percent of the population had access to electricity, with urban coverage now universal and rural access at 66 percent.
Achieving universal access will require a substantial shift in the country’s power generation mix. The share of natural gas in electricity production is projected to rise sharply from less than 1 percent in 2025 to around 30 percent by 2030, reflecting a rapid transition from a system historically dominated by fuel oil. Concurrently, the share of electricity generated from renewable sources, including solar and wind, is expected to reach 22 percent by 2030, up from roughly 12 percent in 2025.
The IEA cited several projects already contributing to this transformation. A 16 MW solar power plant with 10 MW/20 MWh of storage was commissioned in 2025, while the construction of the NEO Kolda project has begun, combining 60 MW of solar capacity with 20 MW and 72 MWh of storage. In addition, the 335 MW Bel Air thermal power plant is being converted from heavy fuel oil to natural gas, with plans to eventually use domestically sourced gas.
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Electricity consumption in Senegal has been rising rapidly. In 2025, demand grew 22 percent year-on-year, and the IEA projects an average annual increase of about 8 percent between 2026 and 2030. This underscores the need to expand generation capacity to meet both current and future demand.
The IEA report emphasizes that the planned transition to gas and renewables will support Senegal’s energy security while reducing dependence on imported fuel oil and lowering the carbon intensity of the power sector. Experts note that expanding storage capacity alongside renewable generation is critical to ensuring grid stability, particularly as solar and wind share of the mix increases.
Senegal’s government has framed energy expansion as a key driver of economic growth and social development. Wider access to electricity is expected to boost productivity, attract investment, and improve quality of life, particularly in rural areas where access has historically lagged.
“The Mission 300 initiative demonstrates Senegal’s commitment to providing reliable and sustainable electricity for all citizens,” the IEA report said, noting that continued investment in both infrastructure and regulatory frameworks will be essential to sustain progress.
As African nations seek to balance growth, sustainability, and energy access, Senegal is emerging as a regional leader, showing that ambitious targets for universal electricity coverage are achievable with coordinated planning, investment in renewable energy, and diversification of the power mix.
