From Gas to Power: MSGBC Region Accelerates Power Sector Overhaul

A floating power plant from Turkey’s Karpowership recently began producing electricity using LNG off the coast of Senegal, marking a milestone in West Africa’s energy transition. The project, executed in partnership with Senegal’s national utility Senelec, combines a powership and a floating storage and regasification unit to deliver LNG-to-power without requiring permanent infrastructure.

The development comes as Senegal and Mauritania begin leveraging domestic gas resources from offshore fields including the cross-border Greater Tortue Ahmeyim (GTA) LNG development, the Sangomar oil project and the Yakaar-Teranga gas project. As such, regional governments have begun accelerating the conversion of thermal power plants from heavy fuel oil (HFO) to natural gas in a bid to reduce emissions, lower electricity costs and strengthen energy security.

Senegal Leads Gas Conversion Projects

In May 2025, Senelec and Finnish firm Wärtsilä launched the conversion of the 335 MW Bel Air power plant in Dakar from HFO to LNG. The phased project involves upgrading the facility’s engines and infrastructure to facilitate natural gas use and is scheduled for completion by the end of 2025. Once operational, Bel Air will rely on natural gas supplied from recent offshore developments, reducing Senegal’s imports and emissions.

Additional gas-to-power developments in the country include the Cap des Biches project, led by local firm West African Energy. With a planned capacity of 300 MW, the combined cycle power station is expected to become Senegal’s largest plant upon full commissioning. Situated near Dakar, the project reached advanced stages in its development in 2024 and is backed by over $348 million in funding from financial institutions the African Finance Corporation and Coris Bank International, among others. Turbines for the power plant are being supplied by GE, with construction being spearheaded by Calik Enerji.

Meanwhile, the Sendou coal-fired power plant is also undergoing conversion, shifting to natural gas to improve efficiency and sustainability. Once converted, the 125 MW facility is expected to supply 12% of Senegal’s annual electricity demand. What’s more, the 366 MW Rifusque combined-cycle plant, developed by West African Energy, injected 127 MW into the grid in May 2025. Backed by the Africa Finance Corporation, pan-African financial provider Afreximbank and energy services company GE Vernova, the plant is expected to meet 25% of the country’s installed capacity once completed.

Mauritania Expands Gas Generation

Mauritania is also advancing its power sector transition through dual-fuel power projects, with a 60 MW dual-fuel power plant having launched construction in April this year. Fully funded by the Mauritanian government at a cost of $82 million, the plant will be equipped with four dual-fuel generator sets capable of running on both gas and HFO. The facility will connect to a new 33 kV evacuation station serving Nouakchott and is expected to enter service by late 2026.

Engineering services contractor the China National Electric Engineering Company (CNEEC) won the engineering, procurement and construction contract for the project in March 2025, marking the country’s entry into Mauritania and underscoring China’s growing role in the region’s energy landscape. CNEEC will also provide two years of operations and maintenance services after commissioning.

Meanwhile, Mauritania is planning two major gas-fired plants for future commissioning. The first, a 230 MW power plant, is being tendered for the town of N’Diago and will utilize gas from the GTA field. The second facility will be situated in Nouakchott and fueled by the Panda field. The facility will have a capacity of 300 MW and supply energy to both the national grid and mining operations in the north of the country.

With large-scale gas-to-power projects underway and LNG production ramping up across the region, the upcoming MSGBC Oil, Gas & Power 2025 conference – set to return to Dakar this December – will serve as a critical platform for governments, investors and project developers to align on infrastructure planning, regional integration and boosting the role of natural gas. Held under the theme Energy, Petroleum and Mining in Africa, the conference will highlight emerging opportunities in power generation, infrastructure development and cross-border energy trade.

Explore opportunities, foster partnerships and stay at the forefront of the MSGBC region’s oil, gas and power sector. Visit www.msgbcoilgasandpower.com to secure your spot at the MSGBC Oil, Gas & Power 2025 conference and exhibition. For sponsorship or delegate participation, please contact sales@ecp.fgxdev.co.za.