Ministry of Energy and Petroleum - Mauritania

Communiqué de Presse Un accord pour la construction et l'exploitation d'une nouvelle centrale électrique hybride solaire-éolienne avec un investissement avoisinant 300 millions de dollars. 12 septembre 2025, Nouakchott – Son Excellence Monsieur Sid’Ahmed Ould Bouh, Ministre de l'Économie et des Finances, et Son Excellence Monsieur Mohamed Ould Khaled, Ministre de l'Énergie et du Pétrole, ont signé deux contrats de partenariat public-privé (PPP) dans le domaine de la production et de la commercialisation d'électricité. Le premier contrat (concession PPP) porte sur la construction d'une nouvelle centrale électrique d'une capacité installée de 60 mégawatts (MW). Le second contrat (achat d'électricité ou PPA) définit les termes et mécanismes d'achat de l'électricité produite au profit de la Société Mauritanienne d'Électricité (SOMELEC). Ont signé pour le gouvernement : Son Excellence le Ministre de l'Économie et des Finances, M. Sid’Ahmed Ould Bouh, et Son Excellence le Ministre de l'Énergie et du Pétrole M. Mohamed Ould Khaled. Pour le groupe SOMELEC, le Directeur Général, M. Khroumbaly Lehbib, et pour la société IWA GREEN ENERGY (maître d'œuvre du projet), le Directeur Général, M. Moulaye El Arby Baba. Cette nouvelle centrale fournira entre 60 et 100 MWh d'électricité par jour tout au long de sa période d'exploitation, qui s'étendra sur 15 ans. Les travaux de construction de la partie solaire de la centrale dureront 12 mois, ce qui signifie que la production effective d'électricité débutera en septembre 2026. La capacité totale installée de la centrale sera de 160 MW solaire et 60 MW éolien. Grâce à ce projet, la Mauritanie disposera pour la première fois d'une centrale hybride dotée d'un système de stockage d'énergie par batteries, permettant d'injecter 370 MWh d'énergie stockée. Cette fonction est particulièrement cruciale pendant les périodes de faible vent, durant la nuit, ou en cas de faible ensoleillement dû aux tempêtes de sable ou à la couverture nuageuse. Il convient de noter que le Département de l'énergie a récemment adopté un plan visant la construction et l'exploitation de nouvelles centrales électriques, certaines basées sur les énergies renouvelables et d'autres sur le gaz, toutes régies par la loi de partenariats public-privé (PPP). Ces projets structurants à fort impact économique permettent une transformation complète du secteur électrique en attirant les investissements privés, permettant ainsi à l'État d'éviter le recours à l'emprunt et à l'endettement extérieur. Dans ce contexte, l'opérateur (IWA GREEN ENERGY) prendra en charge tous les aspects financiers et techniques du projet, notamment la mobilisation de l'enveloppe financière de 300 millions de dollars US, ainsi que l'exploitation et la maintenance des installations pendant toute la durée du partenariat. La SOMELEC, de son côté, achètera et commercialisera l'électricité verte ainsi produite à un coût réduit.

Mauritania signs framework agreement with UEG to produce green hydrogen and ammonia The Ministry of Energy and Petroleum signed a framework agreement on Monday with UEG GREEN HYDROGEN DEVELOPMENT HOLDING LIMITED (UEG) to develop projects for the production of green hydrogen and ammonia in Mauritania. UEG plans to produce approximately one million tonnes of green ammonia per year on a large scale at two sites located in the north and centre of the country. The company is also studying the possibility of producing HBI (iron) or green steel. The Mauritanian Green Hydrogen Code stipulates that following this framework agreement, and if all obligations under it are fulfilled, the parties will begin negotiating a comprehensive agreement. Speaking at the signing ceremony, His Excellency Minister of Energy and Petroleum Mohamed Ould Khalid said, ‘This agreement reflects Mauritania's commitment to exploiting its potential in the field of green hydrogen and positioning itself at the forefront of countries involved in the global energy transition.’ He added: ‘Green hydrogen represents an opportunity for sustainable growth and job creation for both Mauritania and the region.’ For his part, Mr. Leslie Chang, Vice President and General Counsel of UEG, said: ‘UEG recognises Mauritania's exceptional solar and wind energy resources, as well as the strategic support of the government, particularly in the area of planning and legislation for the green hydrogen sector.’ He continued: ‘As an energy company operating in both fossil fuels and renewable energies, UEG is able to cover a large part of the green hydrogen value chain, from renewable electricity production to the transport and storage of hydrogen and its derivatives.’ The Ministry of Energy and Petroleum welcomed this partnership, which represents a further step in the realisation of its national green hydrogen strategy.

Mauritania signs framework agreement with HYNFRA for green hydrogen and ammonia production The Ministry of Energy and Petroleum signed a framework agreement on Monday with HYNFRA PROSTA SPÓŁKA AKCYJNA (HYNFRA) to develop a project for green hydrogen and ammonia production in the country. HYNFRA, a Polish company specialising in ammonia production, signed a memorandum of understanding with the Ministry of Energy and Petroleum last year for an initial pilot project and has now expanded its investment ambitions to develop a larger-scale green ammonia production project with an estimated annual production capacity of 120,000 tonnes. The Mauritanian Green Hydrogen Law stipulates that after this framework agreement and if all obligations under it are fulfilled, the parties will begin negotiating a comprehensive agreement. Speaking at the signing ceremony, His Excellency Minister of Energy and Petroleum Mohamed Ould Khalid stated that "HYNFRA's desire to expand its initial ambitions for green ammonia production and move from a pilot project to a larger-scale production project is in line with new trends that confirm Mauritania's position as a country eligible for investment in this sector, as confirmed by H2Atlas-Africa, which recently ranked Mauritania first among 38 African countries in terms of costs and potential for green hydrogen production. Tomohisa Omeda stated, "As a long-established company, we draw on more than 100 years of Polish experience in ammonia installation – unique expertise that we have mastered at the highest international level. Given the exceptional conditions in Mauritania, this expertise offers the potential for this project to be one of the best of its kind in the world, and we firmly believe that this is possible thanks to the vision of the Mauritanian government and its hydrogen law, which is one of the most advanced in the world in this field." The Ministry of Energy and Petroleum welcomed this partnership, which is in line with the national green hydrogen strategy and supported by reliable partnerships and international institutions.

Highlights from the opening ceremony of the Mauritanides Energy and Mining Conference and Exhibition, held under the patronage of His Excellency President Mohamed Ould Cheikh El Ghazouani during the period of 08 - 10 sept 2025. On the sidelines of the conference, His Excellency the Minister of Energy and Petroleum, Mr. Mohamed Ould Khaled, signed on sept 8th two important agreements—the first with a Chinese company and the second with a European company—for the development of green hydrogen and green ammonia projects in Mauritania.

Press Release Council of Ministers Approves Draft Decree on the Implementation of the Local Content Law in the Extractive Industries and Energy Sectors Nouakchott, sept. 3rd 2025 — The Council of Ministers, chaired yesterday by His Excellency the President of the Republic, Mr. Mohamed Ould Cheikh El Ghazouani, approved a draft decree for the implementation of Law No. 2024-045 of December 18, 2024, relating to local content in the extractive industries and energy sectors. This decree strengthens the national legal and regulatory framework by operationalizing the National Strategy on Local Content through clear implementation mechanisms and institutional as well as technical arrangements. The text provides for the creation of a National Local Content Council, defining its composition and functioning. The Council will be responsible for setting national strategies and policies in this field, supported by a dedicated Local Content Unit. The decree requires operators and contractors to submit three-year plans and annual reports on their commitments, which will be subject to rigorous monitoring. It enshrines the principle of national preference in employment and in the procurement of goods and services. Furthermore, it establishes a digital platform for monitoring and showcasing commitments, including a comprehensive database. The decree also sets out performance incentives as well as sanctions for non-compliance. This important step confirms the Government’s commitment to ensuring that the country’s natural resources generate sustainable economic and social benefits for Mauritania and its citizens. Ministry of Energy and Petroleum

Mauritania’s Low-Carbon Hydrogen Vision: Three Core Priorities Taghiya Abeid Rahmane, Director of Low-Carbon Hydrogen at the Ministry of Energy and Petroleum, highlighted that Mauritania’s energy future rests on three pillars: achieving universal access to reliable and affordable electricity by 2030 (with at least 50% from renewables), driving industrial growth in key sectors such as mining, and positioning the country as a regional and global energy hub. She stressed that green hydrogen is central to this vision, offering a transformative pathway to decarbonize hard-to-abate sectors, generate export revenues, boost local industry, and create jobs for Mauritania’s youth. International agencies have already praised Mauritania’s vast potential, with Germany’s H2Atlas-Africa ranking the country first among 38 African nations for competitive green hydrogen production. Thanks to a unique synergy of solar and wind resources, Mauritania can generate low-cost, large-scale green electricity. Allocating just 5% of its coastline could yield 12 million tons of hydrogen annually at highly competitive prices, leveraging its proximity to Europe and strong links to global markets. By combining green hydrogen with abundant iron ore, Mauritania could also locally produce direct reduced iron, securing added value and positioning itself at the heart of the global low-carbon economy. Recent green hydrogen legislation further underscores the country’s long-term commitment, creating a transparent framework to attract large-scale investments. A national hydrogen roadmap, launched in 2022, lays out clear phases for development, institutional coordination, legal reforms, and international cooperation. In parallel, a comprehensive infrastructure gap study, completed in 2024 with the World Bank, identified priority areas to enable projects of up to 80 GW capacity, with strong EU backing to implement recommendations. https://lnkd.in/djZYpbea

H.E. Minister of Energy and Petroleum, Mr. Mohamed Ould Khaled, participated in the opening of the 14th Conference of the Parties (COP14) to the Abidjan Convention, hosted in Nouakchott under the theme: “The Atlantic Coast We Want: Strengthening Cooperation for Sustainable Development and Coastal Community Resilience.” The three-day conference brings together official delegations from coastal countries as well as regional and international organizations. Mauritania is hosting this edition amid notable achievements in combating climate change through ambitious initiatives in energy transition, green energy production, and the responsible exploitation of mineral and energy resources. The opening session was attended by ministers of defense, environment, and fisheries, along with representatives from the United Nations, including the Executive Secretary of the Abidjan Convention, Mr. Mamadou Kane, and UNEP’s Susan Gardner. Following the opening, the ministerial delegation toured the accompanying exhibition, where the Ministry of Energy and Peyroleum showcased its ongoing renewable energy projects—such as solar and wind power stations—and its future plans to expand the national energy mix and develop major hydrogen projects. Delegations from the 22 Atlantic coastal African countries signatory to the Abidjan Convention are participating in the UN-led conference.

His Excellency Mohamed Ould Khaled, Minister of Energy and Petroleum, received in audience in his office this morning a high-level bp delegation led by Mr. Murray Auchincloss, CEO bp, accompanied by Mr. Gordon BIRREL, Vice President Operations, and Mr. David CAMPBELL, Executive Vice President Mauritania and Senegal, where the two parties discussed energy projects operating in Mauritania, in particular the GTA project. The audience was attended by the Secretary General of the Ministry and senior officials of the Department.

Minister of Energy and Petroleum participates in the "Invest in African Energy" conference in Paris and delivers an opening speech highlighting Mauritania's energy and gas potential   The "Invest in African Energy" conference kicked off this morning in Paris with the participation of African Ministers of Energy and Oil and key governmental and private sector players on the continent.    The Mauritanian delegation led by the Minister of Energy and Petroleum, Mr. Mohamed Ould Khaled, accompanied by advisors and senior officials in the sector as well as the General Manager of the Mauritanian Hydrocarbons Company (SMH).   The two-day conference, held under the theme "Maximizing returns and Energy Leadership in Africa," will address the LNG as a lever of economic growth for electricity production and energy transition, as well as local content and prospects for petrochemical production and industry.   By participating in this forum, the Ministry of Energy and Petroleum aims to present and highlight Mauritania's capabilities in energy projects, especially those of the offshore basin and blocks where geological data shows their importance in terms of exploration and extraction operations and investment prospects. Mauritania offers a favorable investment environment, encouraging institutional stability and proven geological data, with the Birallah gas field, which contains an estimated 60 trillion cubic feet of natural gas, at the top of the list of hydrocarbon-rich offshore blocks. During the day, the Minister Mr. Mohamed Ould Khaled, will hold bilateral meetings with energy sector players and investors to present investment and natural gas exploitation opportunities in Mauritania.   The Minister will also participate tomorrow in the « Africa Energy Summit » in London, where he will make presentations on Mauritania's potential and hold bilateral meetings with companies interested in investing in Mauritania. The participation in these conferences comes to highlight our country’s capabilities in the field of major projects and their role in accelerating economic growth at a time when the country has succeeded in producing gas from the GTA and strengthened its energy position after joining the Gas Exporting Countries Forum GECF.

Lors de sa participation au Forum des dirigeants d’entreprises africains à Abidjan, le Président de la République, M. Mohamed Ould Cheikh El Ghazouani, a souligné le rôle crucial du secteur privé dans le développement. Il a indiqué que la Mauritanie avait entrepris des réformes nationales importantes ainsi que des mises à jour législatives et réglementaires, notamment à travers l'adoption d'un nouveau Code de l’électricité et d'un autre relatif à l'hydrogène. Le pays a également présenté un document clé portant sur le financement de ses projets énergétiques lors du sommet africain sur l'énergie tenu en Tanzanie. Ces réformes visent à assurer une production abondante d’énergie et à améliorer les performances de la SOMELEC dans un environnement favorable à la compétitivité, dans le but d'atteindre la sécurité énergétique et de favoriser la croissance économique nationale.