In brief
- Horn Diplomat reported on Feb 20, 2026 that Abu Dhabi-based Global South Utilities launched a 5MWp grid-connected solar plant in Berbera.
- The report says the plant supplies electricity equivalent to nearly 28,000 households annually, but gives no metered customer data.
- Project cost, contractor, and current operational status beyond the reported launch are not established.
Abu Dhabi-based Global South Utilities (GSU) launched a 5 megawatt-peak grid-connected solar photovoltaic plant in Berbera, according to a Horn Diplomat report dated February 20, 2026. The report says the project includes 11.2 kilometres of 33kV transmission lines and associated substations.
The plant supplies electricity equivalent to nearly 28,000 households annually, the report states, without specifying metered customers. GSU says the plant is designed to generate around 10,000 MWh of clean electricity per year, according to the company, and is expected to displace diesel-based generation and avoid approximately 6,890 metric tonnes of CO2 annually.
GSU launched what it calls the 'Green Berbera' renewable transition plan, said to outline a phased shift from diesel-reliant generation toward a solar- and battery-backed utility model. Under the plan, solar power will serve as the primary daytime generation source, supported by battery storage, while diesel units will move to a strategic reserve role, according to GSU.
Ali Alshimmari, Chief Executive and Managing Director of GSU and Vice Chairman of Berbera Electricity Company (BEC), announced the launch of the 'Green Berbera Vision'. He said reliable, cost-stable energy is fundamental to trade, logistics, and industrial growth. "Green Berbera positions the city not only as a cleaner power system, but as a more competitive regional port economy in the Horn of Africa," Alshimmari was quoted as saying.
The Horn Diplomat report states GSU holds a 45% ownership stake in BEC, which it describes as the only electricity provider in Berbera. No corporate registry or regulatory source is cited for that claim. BEC currently operates 20.38 MW of solar capacity alongside 2 MWh of battery storage, the report says, without giving the origin of those figures.
Renewable capacity is expected to double by 2027, according to the report, which does not attribute the claim to a named speaker or provide committed financing details. The report's source is WAM, the UAE state news agency.
The report does not state the project's total cost, contract value, or funding source. It also does not name the construction contractor, EPC contractor, consultant, or equipment supplier. Evidence of construction start, completion, or current operational status beyond the reported launch is not provided. The Horn Diplomat page displays a date of Wednesday, September 30, 2026, conflicting with the article's February 20, 2026 dateline.
Frequently asked questions
Who is GSU and what is their role in the project?
Global South Utilities (GSU) is an Abu Dhabi-based company that launched the 5 MWp solar plant in Berbera, according to Horn Diplomat. The report says GSU holds a 45% stake in Berbera Electricity Company (BEC).
What is the actual capacity and generation projection?
The plant has a capacity of 5 MWp. GSU says it is designed to generate around 10,000 MWh per year, according to the company.
Is there evidence for the 28,000 homes powered claim?
The report says the plant supplies electricity equivalent to nearly 28,000 households annually. No metered customer data is provided.
Sources
Local reporting: this article is written for building work in Berbera. Ground conditions, prices and rules differ between places; confirm the details for your own site.
Photo: European Space Agency, CC BY-SA 3.0 igo, via Wikimedia Commons
