- Qair begins constructing two 15 MWp hybrid solar plants with battery storage in N’Djamena, which will supply power to 260,000 people.
- The project was developed under a 20-year BOOT deal, with a transfer to the Chadian government planned at the end of the term.
- Chad aims to cut diesel reliance, as only 12% of the population currently has access to electricity.
French renewable energy company Qair has started building two hybrid solar power plants in N’Djamena, Chad. The project aims to increase electricity access in a country where millions lack power.
Qair selected Gassi-Bagoum and Lamadji-Achawail as the project sites. Each site will host a 15 megawatt-peak (MWp) plant with a 4 MW/4 MWh battery storage system. The two plants will deliver 65 gigawatt-hours (GWh) of electricity annually.
According to Qair, this output can supply power to around 260,000 people. The company will install 48,500 high-efficiency solar panels with solar tracking systems to improve energy yield.
Qair signed a 20-year Build-Own-Operate-Transfer (BOOT) agreement with the Chadian government. After the contract ends, Qair will hand the plants to the government for a symbolic fee. The deal supports Chad’s plan to increase local energy production and capacity.
The World Bank reported in 2023 that only 12% of Chadians had access to electricity. Urban areas also struggle with access rates below 50%. Frequent blackouts force many to rely on diesel generators.
The International Energy Agency said petroleum products fueled 98% of Chad’s electricity in 2022. Qair’s hybrid system will introduce a cleaner and more stable supply.
The plants will include blackstart technology, which allows them to restart independently during grid failures. This feature ensures reliability in a fragile power system.
Qair officially launched the project on May 16. The ceremony drew government officials, community leaders, and development partners. The Société Nationale d’Électricité du Tchad (SNE), the African Development Bank, and Proparco also joined the event.
Local communities around the project sites participated in the launch. Qair emphasised its commitment to engage communities throughout the project lifecycle.
Marc Galinier, Qair’s Director for Sub-Saharan Africa, credited the project’s success to strong collaboration. “This partnership shows that when the public and private sectors join forces, extraordinary achievements become possible,” he said.
Qair continues to expand its footprint across Africa. The company recently secured permits for two solar projects in Morocco and expanded its operations in Tunisia.
Qair now manages a 2 gigawatt (GW) renewable energy portfolio on the continent. The company focuses on hybrid systems tailored to local needs and long-term partnerships with host nations.
With this project, Chad aims to reduce its dependence on fossil fuels and expand access to clean energy. Qair’s work in N’Djamena marks a step forward in that mission.
Qair plans to complete the project on schedule and positively impact Chadian communities.