MORONI—President Azali Assoumani of the Union of the Comoros has officially inaugurated three new solar power plants. Financed by the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development (ADFD) at a cost of approximately AED 84.4 million, the clean energy initiative aims to bolster energy security and foster sustainable development across the African island nation.
The project was implemented by the Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company (Masdar) and is managed by Global South Utilities (GSU). The inauguration ceremony was attended by the UAE Ambassador to the Comoros, Jumaa Rashid Alromaithi, alongside ADFD representative Ahmed Khamis Alkalbani, Masdar's Head of Projects Dr. Mohamed Alzarooni, and GSU Managing Director and CEO Ali Abdulla Alshimmari, along with other senior officials from both nations.
With a collective capacity of around 20 MW, the solar photovoltaic (PV) facilities are distributed across three islands: 12.86 MW on Grande Comore, 4.05 MW on Anjouan, and 3.1 MW on Moh li. The infrastructure also features 16 megawatt-hours (MWh) of battery energy storage systems with an 8 MW power output situated across Grande Comore and Anjouan. Furthermore, the installation includes roughly 30 kilometers of 20-kilovolt (kV) medium-voltage overhead transmission lines.
Technical projections indicate that the three facilities will produce around 33.75 GWh of clean power annually. This volume is sufficient to supply approximately 17,500 homes and displace roughly 20,900 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions every year. This clean electricity generation is expected to satisfy about 13.3% of the country's total electricity demand and 22.5% of its actual generation.
Historically, the Comoros has faced significant electrical sector challenges, particularly a 91% reliance on imported diesel for its energy mix in 2024. During that year, the nation faced approximately 3,000 power outages, with actual electricity generation reaching only 150 GWh against a demand of 254 GWh. The newly introduced solar plants are designed to stabilize the grid, reduce reliance on volatile foreign fuel markets, and improve overall system efficiency.
President Assoumani expressed his gratitude to UAE President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan for his continued developmental support, noting that the partnership translates into practical infrastructure that enhances the livelihoods of the Comorian people. ADFD Director General Mohammed Saif Al Suwaidi highlighted that the funding represents a long-term investment aimed at building local capabilities, reducing import costs, and driving sustainable economic growth.