By: The North African post

Mauritania will soon launch construction of its first large-scale hybrid renewable energy project under a public-private partnership model. The 220-megawatt plant in Nouakchott will integrate 160 megawatts of solar photovoltaic capacity, a 60-megawatt wind farm, and a substantial 370-mWh battery energy storage system, all connected to the national grid via a new transformer station.

The project, with an estimated cost of around 120 billion Mauritanian ouguiya, will be fully financed and developed by Istithmar West Africa Group through its subsidiary Istithmar Green Energy. It will operate under a 15-year concession before being transferred to the state utility, Somelec. Commercial production is scheduled to commence in the final quarter of 2026.

Authorities highlight that the plant will improve grid stability and service quality while supporting Mauritania’s national energy transition objectives. Key expected benefits include reduced electricity costs, enhanced economic competitiveness, job creation, technical expertise transfer, pollution reduction, and greater reliance on domestic renewable resources.