Global South Utilities (GSU), a UAE-based Resources Investment Company, has formalized two pivotal agreements with the Government of Madagascar, signaling a significant expansion of renewable energy capacity and a concerted push towards the nation’s clean energy transition. These agreements, signed by Olivier Jean-Baptiste, Madagascar’s Minister of Energy and Hydrocarbons, and Ali Alshimmari, GSU’s Managing Director and CEO, were witnessed by President Andry Rajoelina at the Iavoloha State Palace.

The primary agreement mandates GSU to develop a 50-megawatt (MW) solar photovoltaic power plant, complemented by a 25 megawatt-hour (MWh) battery energy storage system (BESS), located in Moramanga. This project is slated for completion within 12 months and will form the basis for a future Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with JIRAMA, Madagascar’s national utility. Upon commissioning, the facility is projected to substantially enhance the stability and capacity of the Antananarivo Interconnected Network, simultaneously decreasing the country's dependence on imported fossil fuels for power generation.

A second, equally strategic agreement outlines the intent for GSU and Malagasy authorities to collaborate on additional renewable energy projects, targeting a cumulative installed capacity of up to 250 MW. This accord includes a commitment to conduct detailed feasibility studies to ascertain the technical, environmental, and economic viability of these prospective developments.

Ali Alshimmari, Managing Director and CEO of GSU, emphasized the broader impact, stating, “This agreement marks a significant milestone in our commitment to expanding access to clean, reliable energy across the Global South. We are proud to collaborate with the Government of Madagascar on a project that supports energy security, economic development, and climate resilience.”

These collaborations underscore a shared ambition between Madagascar and the United Arab Emirates to foster large-scale, sustainable infrastructure initiatives. This aligns with the UAE’s proactive engagement in global energy transition dialogues, including its participation in the High-Level Energy Transition Dialogue hosted by the Presidency of COP30 in partnership with the International Energy Agency (IEA).

Eng. Sharif Al Olama, Undersecretary for Energy and Petroleum Affairs at the UAE Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure, recently highlighted the UAE Consensus from COP28 as a turning point, framing the energy transition as an “economic, social, and development imperative.” Speaking at the IEA’s 10th Annual Global Conference on Energy Efficiency, Al Olama reiterated the UAE’s national priority for energy transition, noting that the updated UAE Energy Strategy 2050 balances energy security, affordability, and sustainability, with clear targets for clean energy deployment and deep decarbonization. He stressed that energy efficiency is not merely an add-on but a “core pillar of the transition,” vital for achieving net-zero emissions by 2050 and strengthening the economy through cost reduction, improved energy security, and enhanced operational performance.