Berbera’s green energy push accelerates with new solar and storage project

Abu Dhabi-based Global South Utilities has kicked off work on a 12-megawatt solar photovoltaic (PV) plant, which will be paired with a 70-megawatt-hour battery system in Berbera. This marks an important step forward in the second phase of a broader plan aimed at shifting the Somaliland port city away from its reliance on diesel generation.

According to their announcement, this project is really part of a bigger strategy called the Green Berbera Vision. It’s a broader effort designed to develop a more resilient and renewable-powered electricity grid, combining solar, storage, and transmission enhancements. The latest development comes on the heels of GSU’s earlier 5MW solar project in Berbera, which was commissioned in February 2026. That initial phase involved 11.2 kilometres of 33kV transmission lines and several substations , helping establish the foundational infrastructure.

Now, this next phase aims to bolster the energy supply during evening peaks and other periods when solar energy drops off. GSU predicts that this new solar plus storage plant should generate around 24,000 megawatt-hours of clean electricity each year, enough to power roughly 67,000 homes. They also mentioned that it could cut about 16,500 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions annually , pretty significant, especially considering it’s like removing over 3,800 petrol cars from the roads every year.

This pattern, well, at least to me, seems consistent with their initial phase. SolarQuarter reported in February that the first 5MW plant was expected to produce about 10,000 megawatt-hours annually and supply energy to nearly 28,000 households. Collectively, both projects could potentially power approximately 95,000 homes every year , a pretty notable milestone for a city that has long depended heavily on imported diesel fuel for electricity.

Now, Berbera’s importance isn’t just regional. Its position on a key stretch of coastline has made it increasingly crucial as a trade and logistics hub across the Horn of Africa. So, reliable energy isn’t just about homes; it carries real economic weight too. GSU’s chairman and managing director, Ali Al Shammai, highlighted that this second phase shows a serious, long-term commitment to making Berbera’s infrastructure and economy more resilient. He emphasised that affordable, dependable power is central to urban growth, port activities, and industrial expansion in the area.

The company’s view is that renewable energy isn’t just about being “green” anymore. In places like Berbera, it’s also a competitive issue. Diesel systems face costs on fuel imports, supply disruptions, and volatile prices. Solar, especially when combined with batteries, can help mitigate those risks , plus, it’s better for the environment. This mix is particularly useful for grids that need reliable power after sunset because stored energy can bridge the gap between daylight generation and evening demands.

GSU has described this project as part of a broader transition , not just a single plant, but an evolution of their infrastructure. The first phase laid down the transmission backbone; now, the second adds bigger-scale generation and storage. They’ve announced plans to double their renewable capacity by 2027, all under the Green Berbera Vision umbrella.

And there’s a regional angle too. Somaliland’s National Electrification and Energy Sector Strategy has emphasised expanding access to reliable electricity and reducing dependence on imported diesel fuel. SolarQuarter noted that the initial Berbera solar project was aligned with that strategy, while Energy News Africa reported in May that Somaliland had inaugurated a $24 million solar expansion project in Berbera , described as the largest clean energy investment in the city so far. Although details differ across reports, the size of the investments underscores Berbera’s rising prominence in the Horn of Africa’s clean energy scene.

As for GSU, they hold a 45% stake in Berbera Electricity, the city’s only electricity provider. They currently manage about 20.38MW of capacity, along with a 2MWh storage system. The company also sees the Berbera Economic Zone as a key part of the plan , aiming to run the entire zone on renewable electricity, making it more attractive for industries and investors who want to operate with lower emissions.

Another thing worth pointing out, especially for climate tech advocates in the UAE, is that this project shows how Gulf-backed capital is increasingly being placed in frontier markets, where energy access, logistics, and decarbonisation are all interconnected. Instead of just domestic utility solar plants, companies are now going for projects that integrate generation, storage, and grid infrastructure in fast-growing coastal cities.

Beyond environmental benefits, GSU said that both phases of the project will bring jobs , employ engineers, technicians, builders, service providers. They also see it as a way to develop skills in renewable energy and grid management, which is really important in markets where technical capacity is still developing. It’s a win-win, really.

They also believe that their combined efforts could make Berbera one of the first in the Horn of Africa to move decisively away from fossil-fuel-based electricity. Whether this project becomes a model for other port cities will depend on how well it’s executed, financed, and how the grid performs overall. But the signal is clear: Berbera is being positioned as a sort of testing ground for how solar, storage, and transmission can be combined to create a cleaner, more reliable urban energy system.