Riyadh-based energy firm Acwa has signed a public-private partnership ( PPP ) and a power purchase agreement ( PPA ) for the development, financing, construction and operation of the 230-megawatt N’Diago combined cycle gas turbine ( CCGT ) power plant in southwestern Mauritania.

The agreements were signed in the capital city of Nouakchott in the presence of senior officials of the Islamic Republic of Mauritania and Acwa chairman Mohammad Abunayyan. The signing marks the official launch of Mauritania’s first large-scale gas-fired independent power producer ( IPP ) project, paving the way for private-sector participation in the northwestern African country’s power sector.

The US$669 million plant, located in N’Diago in the Trarza Region of southwestern Mauritania, will integrate the country’s domestic natural gas resources into the national grid, strengthening reliability and reducing the fuel intensity of power generation compared with conventional thermal plants.

The project will support Mauritania’s growing electricity demand, contribute to grid stability, and underpin the country’s long-term energy security and transition objectives. It also builds on Acwa’s expanding African footprint, where the company is delivering integrated power, water and renewable solutions across high-growth markets.

“The signing of the PPP and PPA for the N’Diago project is a defining moment for Mauritania’s power sector and a strong endorsement of the partnership we are building with the Mauritanian government,” comments Hashim Ghabashi, Acwa’s president for the African region.

“Years of close collaboration have led to this achievement – unlocking domestic gas to deliver reliable, affordable electricity, and putting 230MW of high-efficiency CCGT capacity to productive use. This bankable structure not only strengthens the country’s platform for industrial growth and energy security but also opens the door for further private investment, giving Acwa a deeper foothold in West Africa.” 

Acwa is experiencing rapid growth, with a portfolio of 111 assets in operation, advanced development, or under construction, representing 468.9 billion Saudi riyals ( US$125 billion ). The company can generate 98 gigawatts of power, including 52.3GW from renewables, and manages 9.7 million cubic metres per day of desalinated water in 16 countries.