DAKAR, Senegal — Senegal is moving to strengthen its electricity system after repeated power outages during September exposed challenges in fuel supply, generation equipment and rising electricity demand.

Energy and Petroleum Minister El Hadji Abdourahmane Diouf said the recent disruptions highlighted the need to accelerate the country’s transition toward gas-powered electricity generation.

Senegal has more than 2,300 MW of installed generation capacity, but the system struggled to meet demand during periods when consumption reached around 1,400 MW. The minister attributed the recent difficulties to a combination of fuel-supply constraints and technical problems.

The government plans to develop roughly 340 kilometres of gas pipelines to transport domestic natural gas to power plants and industrial users. The strategy is intended to reduce reliance on costly imported diesel and strengthen energy security.

Authorities are also working on broader investments in electricity production, distribution networks, gas infrastructure, storage and renewable energy as part of efforts to improve reliability.

The developments come as Senegal seeks to expand electricity access and build an energy system capable of supporting growing household and industrial demand.