By Ayomide Otitoju
Senegal is positioning itself as a continental leader in gas-to-power development, combining innovative technical models with flexible project delivery to meet rapidly growing electricity demand, industry experts said on Tuesday at the MSGBC Oil, Gas & Power 2025 conference in Dakar.
The country made headlines this July by launching Africa’s first LNG-to-power project without subsidies, a milestone that could serve as a blueprint for the region, according to Zackarie Fortin-Brazeau, Vice President for LNG to Power & Clean Technologies at Karpowership.
“This is a milestone for the continent and showcases the proof of discipline and strong execution here in Senegal,” Fortin-Brazeau said. He noted that Senegal’s electricity demand is growing at 9–10% per year, among the fastest globally. Highlighting the advantages of powerships, he said floating turbines can be deployed faster and at lower cost than traditional land-based plants, complementing renewable energy sources by providing responsive generation for intermittent supply.
Papa Toby Gaye, Director General of Senegal’s national electricity company SENELEC, said the strategy focuses on decentralizing capacity and integrating gas to reduce electricity costs. “Smaller, distributed power plants will allow us to flexibly integrate gas as it becomes available,” Gaye said.
Technical execution remains critical, according to Pape Momar Lô, CEO of state-owned Réseau Gazier du Sénégal. He stressed the importance of stakeholder consultation, environmental planning, and strong regulatory frameworks to ensure sustainability. “The conversation has moved beyond simply ‘gas-to-power’ to ‘gas-to-X,’” Lô said, noting the potential for gas infrastructure to support agriculture, transportation, aquaculture, health, and other industries.
Dr. Riverson Oppong, CEO of the Chamber of Oil Marketing Companies, highlighted the economic benefits, citing Ghana’s experience where switching from crude oil and diesel to gas significantly reduced electricity tariffs. “Gas-to-power technology is tested, acceptable, and very affordable,” he said.
From a financial and operational perspective, Dominique Gadelle, VP Early Engagement Gas at TechnipEnergies, outlined the pillars of successful projects: revenue security, risk reduction, ESG compliance, and technological integration. Gadelle emphasized that natural gas can reduce CO₂ emissions by roughly 50% per megawatt-hour and serves as a bridge to cleaner energy, with future networks potentially integrating hydrogen to further reduce carbon reliance.
Senegal’s approach demonstrates the potential for gas-to-power solutions to accelerate energy transition in Africa while providing flexible, affordable, and sustainable electricity for fast-growing economies.
