Malagasy President Andry Rajoelina has announced a series of measures aimed at ending the persistent power outages affecting the country.
The strategy, revealed on Sunday, focuses heavily on utilizing thermal power generators and expanding renewable energy investments.
At the heart of the plan is the deployment of thermal power plants, which require a daily consumption of heavy fuel oil costing 600 million ariary (approximately $128,000) and diesel fuel amounting to 500 million ariary ($107,000) per day.
To fund this initiative, President Rajoelina emphasized the necessity of budget cuts across various ministries, describing the move as a collective effort to address a pressing national priority.
In a bid to boost energy capacity, the government has invested $28 million in thermal generators with a combined output of 105 megawatts, expected to become operational by next April.
The plan also includes the expansion of solar energy infrastructure.
Existing solar parks have a total capacity of 50 megawatts, with plans to add 20 megawatts for the capital, Antananarivo, and five megawatts for each of the remaining provinces.
Additionally, President Rajoelina announced a future investment in a 250-megawatt solar park to be included in the next national finance law.
Since taking office in 2019, Rajoelina noted, Madagascar’s solar capacity has grown sixfold, from 20 megawatts to 114 megawatts.
The President also highlighted the upcoming construction of a 64-megawatt hydroelectric dam in Fianarantsoa, located in the southern region of the country.
The project, which will take three years to complete, aims to supply 25% of the electricity needs of the capital.
