Jirama: Antananarivo faces a potential worsening of power cuts

Mis à jour le 22 May 2026

In the current context of the energy crisis in Madagascar, the national water and electricity distribution company, Jirama, is warning the population of Antananarivo of an imminent worsening of power outages. The capital, already weakened by widespread and prolonged failures of the electrical grid, could experience an even more significant deterioration in its electricity supply, particularly with the approach of the dry season. The drop in water levels in hydroelectric dams, a direct consequence of the prolonged drought and climate change, is compromising the production capacity of hydroelectric power plants, the main source of energy in the capital. Thus, the issue of electricity supply is becoming critical: the reduction in hydroelectric production increases the risk of load shedding, which has persisted for several years, and exacerbates the already severe energy shortage. The situation is not limited to a simple technical degradation, but also calls into question the overall management of energy in Madagascar. The need for sustainable solutions, such as developing new renewable energy capacity or streamlining consumption, is imperative to avoid an unprecedented humanitarian and economic crisis. Residents and businesses must now expect a more precarious stability, where each power outage could last longer, impacting daily life and the economic functioning of the capital. All of this is happening in a context where reform efforts and the commissioning of new infrastructure should restore confidence, but the energy reality is proving far more complex to overcome.

Information and practical advice in case of a power outage to ensure your safety and manage the situation effectively.

The Root Causes of the Deterioration of the Electricity Grid in Antananarivo

Essential information and practical advice in case of a power outage to ensure your safety and manage the situation effectively.

The Social and Economic Implications of a Failing Power Grid

Information and advice in case of a power outage: causes, impacts, and safety measures to adopt.

Immediate and Long-Term Measures to Address the Power Crisis in Antananarivo

Faced with persistent and worsening power outages, Malagasy authorities, particularly Jirama, are attempting to implement immediate measures to mitigate the severity of the situation. This responsiveness includes prioritizing the rapid restoration of damaged power plants, repairing faulty networks, and implementing planned load shedding to limit long-term damage. For example, Jirama has also announced the installation of temporary solutions such as mobile generators to compensate for the lack of production capacity, but these remain insufficient to ensure lasting stability. Looking further ahead, the government has announced several projects to diversify the energy mix. The commissioning of new solar power plants, notably in Ambatomirahavavy, promises to provide some relief by adding 1.5 MW of capacity in the coming months. However, these initiatives remain sporadic and insufficient to meet the growing demand, which necessitates a fundamental overhaul of the electricity system. Coordination with local and international stakeholders could lead to increased investment in sustainable solutions, such as biomass or solar photovoltaic, thereby reducing reliance on vulnerable hydroelectric power plants. In the meantime, the public must prepare for the possibility that these power outages will persist and intensify, making energy management even more critical. In this context, dialogue between citizens, operators, and the government must be strengthened to establish effective governance and transparent management of energy resources.

The Potential of Sustainable Solutions to Secure Electricity Supply in Antananarivo

Feasibility studies in progress

Reducing Hydropower Dependence

Challenges to Implementing Sustainable Solutions in the Malagasy Context

Despite their clear potential, renewable energy projects in Madagascar face numerous obstacles. Low infrastructure investment, combined with often contested governance, limits the country’s ability to fully exploit these alternatives. Administrative complexity and slow bureaucratic procedures hinder the effective implementation of project packages. Furthermore, the limited availability of financing, particularly in the current fragile economic climate, is a major impediment. Specialized training to manage these new technologies is also lacking, limiting their long-term effectiveness. The issue of social acceptability cannot be overlooked: some projects, particularly wind and solar power, sometimes encounter local resistance due to a lack of communication or environmental concerns. Finally, it is crucial to emphasize that the energy transition cannot be achieved without coherent governance, clear strategic planning, and the regular involvement of local communities. Without this, the implementation of sustainable solutions would remain a distant ambition, reflecting the numerous challenges the island faces in achieving truly effective energy management.

International mobilization strategies to strengthen the resilience of the electricity grid in Antananarivo

Madagascar’s energy challenge cannot be met without strong support from the international community. Mobilizing funds, technical expertise, and favorable policies is a crucial step in rehabilitating the Malagasy electricity sector. In the past, several cooperation programs have provided partial financing for renewable energy projects, but their impact remains limited due to the sector’s structural weaknesses. Cooperation with organizations such as the World Bank, the African Development Bank, and the European Union could intensify these efforts by ensuring more substantial funding and supporting the establishment of regulatory frameworks conducive to private investment.

Furthermore, these initiatives must be accompanied by strengthening local capacities in technical management, governance, and raising awareness of sustainability issues. Several partnerships within the framework of pilot projects, training programs, and exchanges of best practices are already underway or planned. Resolving the energy crisis also requires the active participation of civil society and local private actors, thereby uniting all stakeholders around a common project. The overall approach must aim to transform a critical dependence into self-reliant resilience, enabling Antananarivo to confidently face its future challenges.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What are the main factors exacerbating the energy crisis in Antananarivo?

The main causes include dwindling water resources, obsolete infrastructure, inefficient management, and excessive reliance on vulnerable hydroelectric power plants.

What solutions are proposed to stabilize the electricity supply?

Initiatives focus on diversifying energy sources through the integration of new solar and biomass power plants, as well as modernizing the grid via smart grids. International cooperation also plays a key role.

To what extent can the population contribute to mitigating the crisis?

Rational consumption management, raising awareness of energy efficiency, and adopting energy-saving technologies can help reduce pressure on the grid.