Jazeera Power Plant

The Jazeera Power Plant Hybrid Solar-Storage Project is a major renewable energy initiative in Somalia for electricity mix diversification and reliance on diesel generators reduction. The project forms a central component of Somalia’s Accelerating Sustainable and Clean Energy Access Transformation in Somalia programme, with financing provided by the World Bank.^{1 2}

The initiative’s vision is to “accelerate sustainable and clean energy access” across Somalia by scaling up large-scale solar power generation interconnected with battery storage. ³ It aims to enhance energy security, reduce dependence on fossil fuel generation (particularly diesel), improve grid reliability, and support long-term electrification goals under government and World Bank-backed clean energy strategies.^{4 5}

To achieve the vision, the project injects significant solar capacity into the national grid in order to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, support renewable technology adoption, and expand access to clean and reliable power in a system heavily dependent on costly and polluting thermal generation.⁶ It is structured around the development of two main components:⁷

• A 55 MWp solar PV plant combined
• A 160 MWh battery energy storage system (BESS)

The Jazeera hybrid solar-storage project is expected to have multiple impacts:

• Reduced Fossil Fuel Dependence: Lowering fuel costs and emissions by substituting solar and stored renewable power for diesel-based generation.⁸
• Improved Grid Reliability: Supporting grid stability, smoothing variability from solar generation and enhancing supply continuity using the battery system.⁹
• Renewables Growth: Reaching around 51 Megawatts of installed solar PV capacity by the end of 2023, up from 47 Megawatts in 2022.¹⁰

The project is owned and contracted by the Ministry of Energy and Water Resources of Somalia, which serves as the primary implementing authority.¹¹ It is financed by the World Bank under the Accelerating Sustainable and Clean Energy Access Transformation programme.¹² Grid connection and electricity distribution are expected to be managed by BECO as the transmission system operator, while international and local contractors will be appointed through a competitive tender process to deliver engineering, procurement, construction, testing, and commissioning works.^{13 14}

The project is currently in the tendering phase in 2025, with bid submissions ongoing following a pre-bid conference held in March 2025 and deadlines extended to early May 2025.¹⁵ Implementation will be delivered through a competitive tender covering design, supply, installation, testing, and commissioning, with an expected execution period of 15 to 18 months after contract award, indicating potential commercial commissioning in late 2026 or 2027.^{16 17 18}

The project is part of a broader national pipeline of solar and solar-plus-storage initiatives in Somalia, including smaller hybrid systems, reflecting a wider strategy to accelerate renewable energy deployment and grid recovery.¹⁹