On September 21, 2026, Papa Toby Gaye, Director General of Senegal's national electricity company Senelec, addressed concerns over Woyofal credit consumption. Many consumers have expressed worry that their credits seem to be depleted quickly. According to Gaye, the issue does not lie in a recent price increase, as the cost of the first tranche of Woyofal was reduced in December last year.
Instead, Gaye attributes the rapid consumption to the increasing demand for electricity. As households use more kilowatt-hours, their credits are naturally depleted faster. However, Gaye emphasizes that the issue also stems from a lack of understanding of the kilowatt-hour pricing. The cost of production increases with rising demand, as more expensive production units are brought online.
The Senelec DG explained that not all power plants produce electricity at the same cost. When demand is low, less expensive units can meet the needs, but as consumption rises, more costly units are required. Gaye cited Scaling Solar, with a production cost of 27-30 francs CFA per kilowatt-hour, and the Sendou coal-fired power plant, at around 48 francs CFA, as examples of this variation.
This varying production cost, according to Gaye, partly explains the logic behind progressive tariff structures. Another possibility considered is time-of-use pricing, with "peak" and "off-peak" hours, similar to practices in other countries. This debate takes on greater significance when considering the most modest consumers, with approximately 900,000 clients in the first consumption tranche.
Gaye questioned whether a uniform tariff, which would redistribute production costs differently, would truly represent the "fair price" for these households that remain in the first tranche. The Senelec DG believes this issue warrants a fundamental debate on how to set electricity prices and what consumers actually pay when purchasing Woyofal credits.
Regarding concerns over inaccurate meter readings, Gaye dismissed the notion of a widespread problem with Woyofal meters. He noted that meters are calibrated by the Direction de la métrologie et du contrôle, not directly by Senelec, before being put into service. While individual anomalies can occur, clients are encouraged to report issues so that controls can be conducted.
The discussion on Woyofal credits and electricity pricing comes as Senelec continues to manage the nation's power supply. With the rising demand for electricity, the company faces challenges in meeting consumption needs while maintaining a stable and fair pricing structure. The company's efforts to address these concerns aim to ensure a reliable and efficient electricity supply for Senegal's growing population.
Key points
- Senelec's Papa Toby Gaye attributes rapid Woyofal credit consumption to increasing electricity demand.
- The cost of electricity production varies depending on the power plant and demand.
- A debate on uniform tariff structures and time-of-use pricing is proposed.
