Power company Enelec has announced emergency measures to address repeated power cuts affecting Antsiranana for several days. The investment program aims to strengthen electricity production capacity. "A 4 MW HFO engine has already arrived in Madagascar and is being deployed. Phase 2 of the Diégo solar project, with an additional 8 MW capacity to complement the 2 MW already operational, will launch in coming months. Wind farm development work continues, with initial capacity expected online by mid-September 2026," according to a press release from Groupe Filatex yesterday, addressing the city's electricity supply crisis.
In Antsiranana, prolonged power cuts severely disrupt daily activities and hamper the local economy. Users are growing angry, with some reporting continuous outages lasting over 24 hours. Local fishermen are among the hardest hit. "Without refrigeration, our fish and seafood stocks are perishing," they lament.
According to Enelec, the cuts stem mainly from extensive maintenance work by Chelsea Énergie, the power plant's technical operator. "These interventions, essential for proper facility operation, are part of an intensive upgrade program made necessary by deferred maintenance in previous years, amid significant accumulated payment delays," the statement said. Jirama also announced the arrival of its generators, which should gradually increase electricity supply to Antsiranana.