Beyond the GTA development, the nearby BirAllah and Banda gas fields also have the potential to drive national transformation by leveraging domestic gas for power generation, industrial development and regional integration.

GTA’s Role in Power Generation

The GTA gas field is structured primarily as an LNG export operation. Operated by international oil companies bp and Kosmos Energy, the field holds an estimated 424.75 billion m³ of recoverable gas, with the bulk of production destined for export markets. Despite its export focus, Mauritanian authorities plan to channel 20-25% of GTA’s output into domestic gas-to-power initiatives, including two independent power producer (IPP) projects. With a vision to expand GTA’s LNG output to 10 million tons annually by 2030, Mauritania aims to achieve universal access to electricity by 2030.

In May 2025, Mohamed Ould Khaled, Minister of Energy and Petroleum, Mauritania announced procurement of two independent power producer (IPP) projects fueled by GTA‑sourced gas, which will deliver a combined 550 MW to the national grid over the coming years. One of the IPPs will harness 250 MW of GTA gas within Mauritania and a parallel plant will operate in Senegal

This follows the government’s decision to fully privatize electricity generation, marking a shift away from state-led power production. Under the new model, all future power plants will be developed by private companies as part of a broader strategy to enhance energy security and support economic growth. 

Banda, BirAllah Fueling Broader Transformation

Meanwhile, BirAllah, located 50 km north of GTA, contains reserves estimated at 2,265 billion m³. Mauritania’s government is currently seeking new partners to advance the BirAllah project following bp’s departure last year. With a new development partner, the country aims to advance toward a final investment decision in the latter half of 2025 with production set to start in 2030. The government intends for BirAllah to contribute both to export volumes and national energy supply, aligning with its industrialization strategy. Plans for BirAllah include establishing midstream infrastructure – potentially at a special economic zone near N’Diago Port – to support gas liquefaction, domestic power generation and LNG exports. 

Beyond BirAllah, Mauritania’s natural gas strategy also includes smaller fields such as Banda and Tevet, which together hold an estimated 62.2 million m³ of reserves. These fields play a critical role in addressing projected electricity deficits and form part of a broader effort to establish an integrated gas-to-power network that strengthens domestic energy supply.

A partnership agreement was signed between the field operator consortium – Taqa Arabia and Go Gas Holding – and Mauritania’s national electricity utility Somelec and national mining company SNIM. The deal enables the local commercialization of gas from Banda and Tevet for power generation. Under the agreement, gas will fuel an existing 180 MW dual-fuel power plant in Nouakchott and a new 120 MW plant to be developed by the consortium, increasing total installed capacity by 300 MW and reinforcing energy access for both residential and industrial users. 

These developments aim to stimulate the growth of industrial hubs while supporting an energy-driven economy. This vision will be a central focus at the upcoming MSGBC Oil, Gas & Power Conference and Exhibition, set to take place in Dakar on December 9–10. The event will showcase the latest energy and infrastructure projects in Mauritania and serve as a key platform for engaging investors and strategic partners.

Explore opportunities, foster partnerships and stay at the forefront of the MSGBC region’s oil, gas and power sector. Visit www.msgbcoilgasandpower.com to secure your participation at the MSGBC Oil, Gas & Power 2025 conference. To sponsor or participate as a delegate, please contact sales@energycapitalpower.com.