# Berbera Solar Groundbreaking Reported by Somaliland Standard

> A March 24 Somaliland Standard report details the Berbera Solar Power Project groundbreaking and minister's claims, but no progress since is documented.

- By: Editorial Team, Somali Construction Review (https://somaliconstructionreview.com/about)
- Published: 30 September 2026
- Format: News story (reported from one named public source)
- Publication: Somali Construction Review (https://somaliconstructionreview.com)
- Subject: Infrastructure and Services
- Tags: utilities, ports
- Web version: https://somaliconstructionreview.com/blog/berbera-solar-groundbreaking-reported

## Key points

- Somaliland Standard reported on 2025-03-24 that a groundbreaking ceremony was held for the Berbera Solar Power Project, with President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdillahi Irro laying the foundation stone.
- Energy Minister Ahmed Jama Barre claimed the project will provide 12 MW of solar, 36 MWh of storage, and cut fuel use by 28,250 tons per year, attributing the effort partly to a World Bank project.
- The report does not establish any construction progress, contractor, cost, or completion timeline since the ceremony.

On 24 March 2025, Somaliland Standard reported that a groundbreaking ceremony had been held for the Berbera Solar Power Project, with the foundation stone laid by President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdillahi Irro. The report, which covered remarks by Minister of Energy and Minerals Ahmed Jama Barre at the event, did not establish any subsequent progress on the project.

The minister, as quoted by Somaliland Standard, linked the project to a World Bank project and said its objectives for Berbera are affordable electricity and an improved energy connection network. He stated the project will provide 12 MW of solar energy and 36 MWh of battery energy storage, and that it is estimated to produce 22.6 GWh of solar energy per year, equivalent to 62,000 kWh per day.

Barre further claimed the project would reduce fuel consumption by 28,250 tons per year. He noted that renewable energy currently accounts for 20 percent of energy used in Somaliland, and that electricity reaches almost 50 percent of the country.

The Somaliland Standard article does not name a contractor or consultant, state a total project cost or funding amount, or give a commissioning or completion date. It also does not clarify the name, role, or financial contribution of the World Bank project referenced by the minister.

As of the report's publication, the Berbera Solar Power Project remains at the groundbreaking stage, with no documented evidence of construction activity or operational capacity.

## Questions

### What did Somaliland Standard report on 2025-03-24 about the Berbera electricity project?

The report described a groundbreaking ceremony for the Berbera Solar Power Project and quoted Energy Minister Ahmed Jama Barre on its expected impact, including 12 MW of solar, 36 MWh of storage, and 28,250 tons of annual fuel savings.

### What claims did the Energy Minister make about the project?

Minister Ahmed Jama Barre claimed the project would produce 22.6 GWh of solar energy annually and reduce fuel consumption by 28,250 tons per year, as reported by Somaliland Standard.

### What does the report not establish about the project?

The report does not confirm any construction progress, contractor, total cost, funding amount, or completion timeline. It also does not detail the World Bank project's role or financial contribution.

## Sources

- [Energy minister underscores importance of Berbera electricity project for the city](https://somalilandstandard.com/energy-minister-underscores-importance-of-berbera-electricity-project-for-the-city/) — Somaliland Standard, 2025-03-24