Somaliland president inaugurates 5 MWp solar plant and civic projects in Berbera

Horn Diplomat reported on 2026-02-18 that the President of Somaliland, Dr Abdirahman Mohamed Abdillahi Irro, inaugurated a 5 MWp solar power plant and an 11.2 km 33kV transmission line in the port city of Berbera. The report, bylined by Mohamed Duale with a dateline of BERBERA, Somaliland, Feb 18, did not specify a year in the dateline.

The solar project and its transmission network were implemented by Global South Utilities (GSU) of the United Arab Emirates for the Berbera Electricity Company (BEC), according to project details displayed at the ceremony, Horn Diplomat reported. No contract award, contract value, total project cost or procurement record was given in the report.

President Irro said the project fulfilled a pledge to provide Berbera residents with stable and lower-cost power, and that energy is the backbone of economic growth and social services, the report stated. It did not provide tariff, generation output or cost data to support the claim of lower-cost power.

During the same visit, the president inaugurated several newly constructed roads across the city, Horn Diplomat reported. The road projects were implemented by the Berbera Municipality, led by Mayor Abdishakour Mohamoud Cidin, according to municipal officials. The report did not state the number, length or specific location of the roads, nor their cost or funding source. It said the new roads are expected to ease traffic congestion, strengthen commercial activity and improve connectivity between neighbourhoods, without saying whether those outcomes have been achieved.

The president also opened Cigaal Park, a newly developed public space delivered by the municipality for recreation and community gatherings, and unveiled a new headquarters building for Berbera Municipality, described as a modern administrative facility aimed at improving service delivery and strengthening local governance. Authorities said the park would enhance the city's urban landscape and support tourism and quality of life for residents, while municipal officials said the complex reflects efforts to enhance institutional capacity and administrative efficiency, according to Horn Diplomat.

The report said all the projects were implemented by the Berbera local authority in coordination with the central government, but it also said the solar project was implemented by GSU for BEC, without clarifying the division of roles among GSU, BEC, the municipality and the central government.

President Irro commended Berbera's municipal administration for sustaining education and healthcare services and pledged continued government expansion of support for economic infrastructure and social services, Horn Diplomat reported. The report described Berbera as having seen increased infrastructure investment in recent years as authorities seek to position the city as a regional trade and logistics hub.

The report does not establish what has happened since the 2026-02-18 inauguration, including whether the solar plant is generating at any specific output, or whether the roads, park and headquarters are fully operational. No post-inauguration evidence is provided.