United Arab Emirates-based Global South Utilities has launched a 50-megawatt solar energy facility in the Central African Republic, marking the company’s largest infrastructure project to date. Located in Sakai near the capital city of Bangui, the installation is expected to expand the nation's total power generation capacity by over 60 percent.
The solar complex features more than 80,000 photovoltaic panels paired with a 15-megawatt-hour battery energy storage system. According to statements from the Abu Dhabi-headquartered firm, the setup will supply power to more than 300,000 households and eliminate upwards of 50,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions each year.
The increased energy output is intended to fortify critical local sectors, including medical services, educational facilities, and public infrastructure, while fostering industrial growth and encouraging regional investment. Managing Director and Chief Executive Ali Alshimmari described the development as a nation-shaping achievement of historical importance for the Central African Republic.
The project addresses severe regional power deficits. Although Africa accounts for roughly one-fifth of the global population, dependable energy networks remain scarce across the continent. Data from the African Energy Portal indicates that electrical infrastructure in the Central African Republic is largely restricted to the capital and the connected Boali-Bangui network.
Despite recent additions to national generation capacities, electricity availability across the country remains low. While urban centers have seen slight improvements in energy connections, rural access has stayed stagnant, and clean cooking options remain extremely limited.
Alshimmari noted that projects like the Sakai plant aim to resolve localized power shortages while driving long-term socio-economic progress across Africa. The development follows GSU's prior installation in Chad. The utility provider maintains active power assets and strategic partnerships spanning South America, Central Asia, and Africa, with its portfolio of operational projects exceeding 500 megawatts in capacity and reducing approximately three million tonnes of carbon emissions annually.
Originally reported by thenationalnews.com on Aug 12, 2026.
