Chad is a vast landlocked country that runs from the Sahara in the north, through the Sahel, to wetter savannah in the south. It has abundant sunshine, some windy desert regions and a very small electricity grid, centred on the capital. Much of the power that does exist has come from burning imported or locally refined oil products in generators. This note explains in general terms what shapes Chad's renewable options. For current plans and data, check official sources such as the energy ministry and the national utility.
Three climate belts
The Saharan north
The far north is desert, with mountains rising from it. Very clear skies give a strong solar resource, and some desert areas see persistent winds. The difficulty is that very few people live there, and there is little or no grid to carry the power anywhere.
The Sahel
The central belt has a long dry season and a short rainy season. Sunshine is plentiful, but the harmattan can carry dust that dims the sky and coats panels. Around Lake Chad, the shrinking and shifting shoreline is a reminder of how climate affects livelihoods.
The south
The south is greener and wetter, with more cloud in the rainy season, but it is also where much of the population and farming is found, so demand is closer.
A generator economy
Where the grid is small, businesses, hospitals and homes that can afford it often rely on diesel or petrol generators. That power is expensive and noisy, and fuel supply can be interrupted. Solar, often paired with batteries and an existing generator as back-up, can cut fuel use significantly, which is one of the most straightforward cases for renewables anywhere.
What grid size means
A small grid can only accept a limited amount of variable power before it needs storage or fast back-up to stay stable. Adding solar in steps, alongside batteries and better grid control, is generally safer than one very large plant. Our explainer on power cuts and load management shows what happens when supply falls short.
Reaching people beyond the grid
- Solar water pumping for herders and farmers.
- Solar kits for homes and small shops.
- Mini-grids for towns far from the capital.
Financing and risk
Lenders weigh the creditworthiness of the power buyer, the security situation and how the country's oil revenues affect public finances. Concessional and grant finance often plays a large part. The general project steps are set out on Projects Explained.
Read on
Compare Chad with Niger, Sudan and Cameroon in our Country Notes, or start with Solar Power Basics.