Qair, AfDB Power Up Chad

May 21, 2025

Key Figures & Findings: French renewable energy developer Qair has officially launched construction of two solar photovoltaic (PV) parks in Chad, marking its entry into the country’s nascent utility-scale solar sector. The twin 15-MWp solar farms—located in Lamadji-Achawail and Gassi-Bagoum near N’Djamena—will be paired with 4-MW/4-MWh battery energy storage systems to stabilize supply and support grid resilience. Qair, active in over 20 countries, focuses on independent renewable energy projects including wind, solar, hydro, and green hydrogen. The initiative is being co-financed by the African Development Bank (AfDB), which is providing EUR 28 million ($31.3 million) in debt financing as part of its Desert to Power program.

Statistics & Insights: The 30-MWp project is expected to generate 65 GWh annually, sufficient to meet the electricity needs of approximately 260,000 people. It is scheduled to be commissioned by the end of 2025.

Future Implications: If executed as planned, the plants could serve as a national reference for hybrid solar-plus-storage solutions and catalyze further private-sector participation in Chad’s energy sector by 2026. It may also support regional objectives to deploy 10 GW of solar capacity across the Sahel by 2030.