Senegal

Senegal was one of the first countries in sub-Saharan Africa to open its energy sector to private participation. The governing policy for the energy sector is the Letter of Policy Development of the Energy Sector (Lettre de Politique de Développement du Secteur de l’Energie, LPDSE), the most recent version of which plans for the period 2019-2023. This document outlines several key objectives explicitly aimed at increased private sector participation in the sector, including encouraging independent generation, and institutional reform, improving competitiveness and strengthening regulation.

Under Senagalese law, generation and isolated distribution of electricity is allowed by the private sector and is regulated accordingly to ensure fair competition. With the exception of the national utility, the holder of a distribution concession is not permitted to own shares in a generation concession, and vice versa. Sale of electricity is subject to a licence from the Minister of Energy which specifies territorial scope, duration, public service obligations and type and consumption of serviceable customers.

Apart from the national utility, Société National d’Électricité du Sénégal (SENELEC) (National Electricity Company of Senegal), the country’s energy market is composed of private industrial units and IPPs. IPPs account for about half the national generation capacity and are required to supply all electricity to SENELEC as the sole buyer and seller of wholesale electricity to the grid. Senegal’s first IPP was a 52 MW thermal plant commissioned in 2000, followed by a second plant in 2008. IPPs have had a mixed track record in the country due to grid instability, fuel quality and other technical challenges.

Generation:

Société National d’Électricité du Sénégal (SENELEC) (National Electricity Company of Senegal) had an installed capacity in 2018 that amounted to 52% of total capacity, followed by 39% in the case of IPPs. In 2018, 9% of all electricity consumed was imported.

Transmission:

SENELEC holds a monopoly on the transmission of electricity in the country.

Distribution:

SENELEC holds a monopoly on the distribution of electricity in the country. Société National d’Électricité du Sénégal (SENELEC) (National Electricity Company of Senegal) is the national state-owned electricity utility. It holds a monopoly on the transmission and distribution of electricity. The utility also owns about half of the generation capacity. The utility has been through several phases of privatisation.

Agence Sénégalaise d’Électrification Rurale (ASER) (Rural Electrification Agency) is responsible for Senegal's rural electrification and manages relevant programmes such as the Rural Electrification Priority Programme (PPER) and the Local Rural Electrification Initiative (ERIL). It builds projects and also procures EPC services. Ministère du Pétrole et des Énergies (Ministry of Petroleum and Energy) (formerly Ministry of Energy and Renewable Energy Development) is the responsible entity of the entire energy sector, leading the development and implementation of policies and strategies. Commission de Régulation du Secteur de l’Électricité (CRSE) (Regulatory Commission for the Electricity Sector) has the role of promoting competition, efficiency and economy in bulk power markets, as well as protecting consumers through regulating electricity tariffs and improving the quality of supply. Agence Nationale pour les Énergies Renouvelables (ANER) (National Agency for Renewable Energy) has been created to support the promotion and development of alternative energy in all forms: solar, wind, biomass, tidal and small hydro. They have developed the concept for a renewable energy cluster in Senegal to gather all the renewable energy actors in Senegal. ANER will soon be integrated into SENELEC.

Promotion des Investissements et Grands Travaux (APIX) (Investment Promotion and Major Works Agency) is a private company, of which the state of Senegal is the main shareholder. Its main objective is to promote investment in Senegal, both from local and international companies. APIX provides support for all administrative procedures needed to establish a company in Senegal as well as to apply for the different benefits provided by the government for the establishment of new companies in Senegal. APIX helps, as well, in the research and identification of local partners.

Conseil Patronal des Énergies Renouvelables du Sénégal (COPERES) (Business Council of Renewable Energies in Senegal) is involved with renewable energy advocacy (primarily on-grid).

Utility/distributor

Société National d’Électricité du Sénégal (SENELEC) (National Electricity Company of Senegal) is the national state-owned electricity utility. It holds a monopoly on the transmission and distribution of electricity. The utility also owns about half of the generation capacity. The utility has been through several phases of privatisation.

Agence Sénégalaise d’Électrification Rurale (ASER) (Rural Electrification Agency) is responsible for Senegal's rural electrification and manages relevant programmes such as the Rural Electrification Priority Programme (PPER) and the Local Rural Electrification Initiative (ERIL). It builds projects and also procures EPC services.

Ministry (Ministries)

Ministère du Pétrole et des Énergies (Ministry of Petroleum and Energy) (formerly Ministry of Energy and Renewable Energy Development) is the responsible entity of the entire energy sector, leading the development and implementation of policies and strategies.

Regulator

Commission de Régulation du Secteur de l’Électricité (CRSE) (Regulatory Commission for the Electricity Sector) has the role of promoting competition, efficiency and economy in bulk power markets, as well as protecting consumers through regulating electricity tariffs and improving the quality of supply.

Others

Agence Nationale pour les Énergies Renouvelables (ANER) (National Agency for Renewable Energy) has been created to support the promotion and development of alternative energy in all forms: solar, wind, biomass, tidal and small hydro. They have developed the concept for a renewable energy cluster in Senegal to gather all the renewable energy actors in Senegal. ANER will soon be integrated into SENELEC.

Promotion des Investissements et Grands Travaux (APIX) (Investment Promotion and Major Works Agency) is a private company, of which the state of Senegal is the main shareholder. Its main objective is to promote investment in Senegal, both from local and international companies. APIX provides support for all administrative procedures needed to establish a company in Senegal as well as to apply for the different benefits provided by the government for the establishment of new companies in Senegal. APIX helps, as well, in the research and identification of local partners.

Conseil Patronal des Énergies Renouvelables du Sénégal (COPERES) (Business Council of Renewable Energies in Senegal) is involved with renewable energy advocacy (primarily on-grid).

Association Sénégalaise de Normalisation (ASN) (Standards Association of Senegal) develops and promotes national and international standards in Senegal. Relevant categories of standards include electrotechnical and solar energy. Applicable standards include NS 13-001 (Photovoltaic terrestrial systems), NS 13-002 (Measurement of photovoltaic solar modules), NS 13-003 (Measurement of current-voltage characteristics) and NS 13-004 (Stationary lead-acid batteries).