Madagascar is a huge island off Africa's south-east coast, and it behaves almost like a small continent. A spine of highlands runs down the middle, the east coast is humid and exposed to the trade winds and to cyclones, the west is drier, and the far south is arid and often windy. Electricity is spread across many separate local systems rather than one national grid. This page explains the general factors shaping its clean-energy potential. For current figures and plans, check official sources such as the energy ministry and national utility.
An island of many grids
Because towns are separated by long distances and difficult terrain, the country has historically relied on several separate networks, with many smaller towns running on diesel generators. Fuel has to be imported and trucked or shipped around the island, which makes power expensive. Adding solar or wind to these small systems, often with batteries, is one of the most practical ways to reduce cost. Our mini-grids guide explains how such hybrids work.
The windy south and north
The dry far south and some northern areas are often described as windy. These regions can be remote and sparsely populated, so small-to-medium wind installations serving local towns may make more sense than large farms. Measurement on site remains essential.
Sunshine in the highlands and the west
The central highlands, where the capital and many people live, combine good sunshine with cooler temperatures that suit panels. The west is generally sunnier and drier than the east. The east coast, with its frequent rain and cloud, is less ideal for solar.
Designing for cyclones
Tropical cyclones regularly strike parts of the island. Panels, mounting frames and turbines must be rated for extreme winds, and some turbines can be lowered or secured ahead of a storm. Distributed systems can help communities recover faster after a storm damages central infrastructure.
Hydro in the hills
Highland rivers offer hydropower potential, which can pair with solar: water stored during sunny periods can be released at night.
Questions to ask
- Is the project connected to a town grid, and how big is that grid?
- How is cyclone risk built into the design?
- Who maintains the system, and how do spare parts reach remote areas?
- How affordable are the tariffs for local users?
See also
Compare with Mozambique across the channel, read How a Wind Turbine Works, or browse the Country Notes.