
Minister Mohamed Ould Khaled announces shift to privatised power generation model at Invest in African Energy Forum. (Image source: Energy Capital & Power)
Mauritania is pushing ahead with plans to fully privatise its power generation sector, with bids expected in the next two to three weeks for a new independent power plant linked to the Greater Tortue Ahmeyim (GTA) gas project
The announcement was made by Mohamed Ould Khaled, minister of petroleum and energy, at the Invest in African Energy 2025 Forum in Paris.
“All new power generation projects in Mauritania will be private. State-owned companies will no longer be involved in power generation,” said the minister. He added that two IPP (independent power producer) projects currently underway, both fuelled by domestic gas, will supply a combined 550 MW to the national grid within the next few years.
This shift is part of a wider effort to tap into the country’s gas and renewable energy potential to drive industrial growth, improve access to electricity, and support inclusive economic development.
“We want to develop large-scale natural gas and renewable energy resources. We want to expand affordable, clean power access to our people and industries and power inclusive economic growth, especially to unleash our mining potential.”
Mauritania currently has 57% energy access and aims to reach full national coverage by 2030. According to the Minister, the GTA gas project – developed jointly with Senegal – will play a major role, fuelling a 250 MW combined-cycle power plant in each country as part of its first phase.
The Minister said Mauritania is well-positioned to become a leader in Africa’s energy space and beyond, thanks to its mix of gas, solar and wind resources, and proximity to Europe. He also highlighted the country’s leadership in green hydrogen, backed by updated regulatory frameworks.
“Mauritania holds the largest pipeline of green hydrogen projects in Africa, which are designed not only to export molecules, but to catalyse industrialisation in Mauritania and decarbonize hard-to-abate sectors. We have the potential to produce 12 million tons of green hydrogen production per year, with wind speeds of 10 metres per second and amazing solar.”
“To support this transformation, we have completely modernised our framework,” the minister continued. “We have opened up the electricity sector to private investments, introduced a new local content policy, and implemented new PPP and investment codes. Additionally, we have launched Africa’s first green hydrogen code, which provides clarity and long-term stability for investors.”
Looking forward, Mauritania’s broader energy roadmap includes further development of the BirAllah gas field – another major deepwater discovery – expansion of the GTA project to reach 10 million tons of LNG annually, increased regional electricity trade, and continued investment in the mining sector.
As reported by Energy Capital & Power, these developments mark a pivotal moment in Mauritania’s energy journey.