Mauritania Launches First Public-Private Energy Partnership with 60MW Hybrid Solar-Wind Project

Nouakchott, Mauritania — In a landmark move toward sustainable energy development, Mauritania has signed its first public-private partnership (PPP) in the energy sector, paving the way for the construction of a 60-megawatt hybrid solar and wind power facility. The agreement, finalized on September 12, marks a significant step in the country’s efforts to diversify its energy mix and reduce reliance on fossil fuels.

The deal was signed by Sid’Ahmed Ould Bouh, Minister of Economy and Finance, and Mohamed Ould Khaled, Minister of Energy and Petroleum, alongside Moulay El Arby, representing Ewa Green Energy—the private firm tasked with financing, developing, building, and operating the plant. The project will be fully funded by the private sector and is expected to be completed within 12 months.

According to officials, the contract includes a receipt-and-payment clause that offers critical guarantees to investors, ensuring financial viability without burdening public finances or increasing foreign debt. Minister Bouh described the partnership as a “qualitative leap,” noting that it is the first time private entities will directly produce electricity in Mauritania under a PPP framework.

The initiative reflects the government’s broader commitment under President Mohamed Ould Cheikh El Ghazouani to accelerate the energy transition, reduce carbon emissions, and strengthen the reliability of electricity supply across the country. Minister Khaled emphasized that the project will significantly improve the national grid and confirmed that more PPPs are in the pipeline, all designed to avoid public borrowing while expanding energy infrastructure.

Mauritania’s energy ambitions are rooted in the Mission 300 Energy Compact, which aims to achieve universal electricity access by 2030. As of 2020, only 47% of the population had access to electricity, with rural areas lagging behind. The government plans to double rural access by 2024 and reach full coverage in urban zones.

The International Energy Agency (IEA) has identified Mauritania as a country with exceptional potential for solar and wind energy. These renewable resources could play a transformative role in powering key sectors like mining, which currently relies heavily on diesel and heavy fuel oil. Transitioning to clean energy could not only reduce emissions but also lower operational costs and improve energy security.

Further bolstering Mauritania’s energy strategy is the World Bank’s DREAM Project, approved in March 2025. The initiative will fund the country’s first large-scale battery energy storage facility, support solar and wind development, and drive institutional reforms. The DREAM Project is closely aligned with Mission 300 and is expected to catalyze investment and innovation in the energy and mineral sectors.

As Mauritania embraces renewable energy and private sector collaboration, the new PPP signals a turning point in its journey toward sustainable development and energy independence.