Gabon’s energy landscape has recently undergone a major structural transformation, marked by the planned dismantling of existing infrastructure and a massive boost to national production capacity. In Libreville and Port-Gentil, a program launched on November 10th aims to modernize critical sites and optimize national thermal power plants. The program is a collaborative effort between ESFBUS, a local contractor, and the Turkish technology partner Aksa Enerji.
Gabon’s energy sector is putting its past problems behind it to enter a new phase and embark on a major structural transformation. In Libreville and Port-Gentil, a two-phase decommissioning program combines the Turkish expertise of Aksa Enerji with the local know-how of ESFBUS to modernize and optimize thermal power plants. This aims to prepare for the installation of new units and increase the reliability of the grid in the face of growing energy demand.
According to the daily newspaper L’Union , which is reporting on the ongoing operation, the first phase, focused on the Akournam thermal power plant in Owendo, involves the removal and dismantling of gas turbines and auxiliary units. Three machines are to be removed: two Alstom MS 5001 PA turbines, each weighing approximately 220 tons, and a Solar Turbine Titan 130.
Selected through a tender process, ESFBUS intends to demonstrate its expertise on a critical project. Led by Eugène Massamba, this Gabonese technical services company specializing in industrial maintenance typically works on heavy equipment (turbines, compressors, industrial machinery) for major operators.
After nearly two months of work, the project is already more than 90% complete without any major incidents, involving the necessary demolition of support structures and reinforced concrete foundations up to 31 meters long. In Libreville, the work also includes the restoration of the immediate surroundings with the demolition of nearly 3,590 m² of pedestrian areas and paved walkways.
Eugène Massamba, the director of ESFBUS, highlighted the local capacity to carry out these projects without systematically relying on foreign expertise. This reinforces confidence in Gabonese skills. These works, launched in Libreville, are expected to be completed on December 24th and prepare for the arrival of new production units, with an additional 100 MW injected into the grid, as part of the partnership with Aksa Enerji.
According to L’Union , the next phase, scheduled for early January 2026 in Port-Gentil, concerns the thermal power plant on Boulevard Léon-Mba. Two other Alstom turbines, each with a capacity of 20 MW, will be dismantled, along with their ancillary units and the cover shed. This operation will take 30 days, with commissioning planned for May 2026.
In the longer term, an agreement even provides for the creation of a 1,000 MW gas-fired power plant, which would strengthen the country’s installed capacity and its security of supply. From a technical and economic standpoint, this component serves as a lever to address the current structural deficit. Indeed, the installed capacity is 704 MW compared to an estimated demand of 1,039 MW, exacerbated by load shedding and an aging grid.
Beyond the technical aspects, Gabon’s energy transition is seen as an urgent response to the energy crisis. The choice of a dual-fuel (gas/oil) technology appears pragmatic for securing supply. Domestic natural gas is considered an economical and less polluting solution, supplemented by fuel oil as a backup. The program, undertaken by ESFBUS in collaboration with Aksa Enerji, is perceived as an essential lever for Gabon’s energy stability and future, with figures of 100 MW of additional capacity injected into the grid in the initial phase and, ultimately, 1,000 MW of new capacity planned for the Port-Gentil gas-fired power plant, in accordance with the terms of the agreement between the parties and the government.
