UAE-Backed Solar Plants in Comoros Add 20MW Capacity with Battery Storage

Three solar photovoltaic plants with a combined capacity of about 20MW have been inaugurated in the Union of the Comoros, with the project backed by UAE entities and aimed at reducing the country’s dependence on imported diesel.

Financed by the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development (ADFD) at approximately USD22.98 million, the project was implemented by Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company – Masdar and managed by Global South Utilities (GSU).

The three solar plants comprise 12.86MW on Grande Comore, 4.05MW on Anjouan and 3.1MW on Mohéli. The project also includes battery energy storage systems with a combined capacity of 16MWh and 8MW of power output across Grande Comore and Anjouan.

Around 30km of 20kV medium-voltage overhead transmission lines have also been installed as part of the development.

The facilities are expected to generate approximately 33.75GWh of clean electricity annually, enough to meet the electricity needs of around 17,500 households. The project is also expected to avoid approximately 20,900 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions each year.

The inauguration was conducted by Azali Assoumani, President of the Union of the Comoros, in the presence of senior UAE and Comoros officials.

The project comes as Comoros faces significant electricity supply challenges. Imported diesel accounted for 91 percent of the country’s energy mix in 2024, while electricity demand reached 254GWh compared with actual generation of 150GWh. The country also recorded around 3,000 power outages during the year.

According to the project statement, the new solar facilities are expected to provide electricity equivalent to 13.3 percent of total electricity demand and 22.5 percent of actual generation, helping diversify the country’s power mix and reduce fuel dependence.