Gabon has commissioned the first phase of its new 8.5 megawatt gas-fired thermal power plant in Mayumba, marking a key step toward addressing persistent electricity shortages in the southern region. The development was reported by Africa Business Insider, reflecting a broader trend across Africa of relying on natural gas to supplement power generation amid rising demand.
The Mayumba facility was developed through a public-private partnership involving the Gabonese state, state-owned Gabon Power Company, and Perenco Gabon, which supplies gas from offshore fields. Installed capacity in the initial phase is 8.5 MW, and the plant was officially handed over to the government on January 23, according to Ecofin Agency.
Officials said the plant will provide immediate relief to communities long affected by unreliable electricity, particularly in Mayumba and surrounding areas. Gabon plans to expand the facility in stages, with capacity expected to rise to 20 MW in an intermediate phase and up to 50 MW once grid connections and transmission infrastructure are completed, as reported by Ecofin Agency.
Analysts note that gas-fired projects like Mayumba offer a faster and more dependable alternative to large hydroelectric or coal plants. Africa Business Insider reported that leveraging domestic gas resources can help countries like Gabon close structural power gaps and support economic growth, even as the continent expands renewable energy development.
