Why is Senegal launching a Biostar project in Sub-Saharan Africa?

Senegal is aiming to boost the availability of biofuels for SMEs active in sub-Saharan Africa’s agro-industry sector, following the launch of its BioStar project earlier this year. The goal of the project is to expand energy access in rural areas by generating energy from residual biomass produced by agribusiness companies.

Can Senegal achieve universal access to modern energy?

In order to achieve universal access to modern energy, to spur industrialisation and consolidate a low-carbon, resilient and sustainable energy system, Senegal has recently joined the ranks of countries (South Africa, Indonesia, Viet Nam) having entered a Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP).

Why is agriculture important in Senegal?

Agriculture is one of the main economic sectors in Senegal, and by utilizing more biomass and agricultural waste products for renewable energy generation, the country aims to capitalize on a cheap and readily-available local input.

What makes Senegal a sustainable country?

The power sector is the key enabler for Senegal’s sustainable development. The country’s electricity mix is dominated by heavy fuel oil (HFO), which accounted for 70% 2 of total electricity generation in 2022. In recent years, renewable energy has overtaken coal, with wind and solar power accounting for 21% of generation in 2022.

Does Senegal have a natural resource sector?

The natural resource sector is at the heart of Senegal’s development strategy. The country is set to become an oil and gas producer in 2024, leveraging its significant offshore reserves. In 2020, the African continent for nearly 3% of cumulative global emissions, with Senegal representing only 0.03% of global energy-related emissions.

Will Senegal reduce its energy subsidies by 2025?

In 2022, Senegal spent almost 4% of its gross domestic product (GDP) on energy subsidies. The government pledge to reduce this share to 1% by 2025 is a major and welcome reform commitment. The roadmap in place guides the implementation in the coming years.