Jirama: end of power cuts following employee strike

Mis à jour le 22 May 2026

An Energy Crisis Temporarily Eased: The End of the Jirama Strike

After several days of turbulence exacerbated by a general strike led by employees of Jirama, Madagascar’s energy production and distribution company, the situation appears to be at a standstill. The vicious cycle of power outages and disruptions in the electricity supply, which has weighed heavily on the daily lives of households, businesses, and public institutions, is breaking, at least temporarily. However, this lull revealed by the end of the social movement should not obscure the underlying issues that continue to shape Madagascar’s energy landscape, between the necessary restructuring of the company and the transition to more sustainable energy. The crisis at Jirama is not simply a matter of management or strikes; It represents the expression of a failing system, a tense socio-political context, and an urgent need for in-depth reform in Madagascar’s electricity sector, particularly to envisage a true transition to a Sustainable Energy model. Discover how to manage a power outage: practical advice, emergency solutions, and essential information to deal with this unexpected situation.The root causes of the crisis at Jirama and its lasting repercussions

Union demands focused primarily on rejecting the change of status to a public limited company, a reform likely to liberalize the sector and attract foreign investment. However, this paradigm shift was perceived as a threat by those who feared a price increase or the elimination of established benefits. Fear of partial privatization, fueled by deception campaigns and alarmist rhetoric, fueled the strike movement, which subsequently triggered a cascade of major economic and social repercussions. Recurring, often unpredictable, power outages have seriously affected daily life, particularly in a country where access to reliable electricity is a vital pillar of development. According to the Madagascar Tribune article, these interruptions have led to lost productivity, deteriorated infrastructure, and worsened uncertainty for local and foreign investors. Overreliance on diesel generators and outdated thermal equipment have increased not only costs but also vulnerability to climatic and technical hazards.

The Root Causes of Instability
Inefficient Management Accumulated Over Decades
Lack of Investment in Electrical InfrastructureChronic debt and insufficient public fundsExcessive dependence on fossil fuels

Lack of a genuine plan for integrating renewable energy in Madagascar

• The convergence of these factors has created a vicious circle that is difficult to break. Most of the company’s resources are devoted to maintaining outdated facilities rather than modernizing them, and the short-term approach severely hinders the implementation of real strategic change.
• Discover how to manage a power outage effectively. Find practical tips for staying safe, preparing your home, and maintaining comfort during a power outage.
• The role of stakeholders in the crisis and their responsibilities
• Faced with this critical situation, several stakeholders, primarily unions, have called for an immediate change in the company’s governance. However, as is often the case in these contexts, they have also been exploited by external or internal political forces whose objectives are not limited to simply improving service. On the one hand, the Malagasy government, and in particular the Ministry of Energy, has been both reactive and sometimes overwhelmed. During its crisis management in November 2025, it was accused by some of minimizing the impact of the outages or of having few concrete medium-term proposals. On the other hand, private power solutions companies such as Madagascar Power and foreign investor companies are considering partnerships to modernize the electricity grid and deploy innovations such as the Smart Grid. The challenges are therefore multiple: how to ensure a balance between energy security, affordability, and compliance with the principles of Sustainable Energy.
• The answer could lie in strengthened cooperation between public and private stakeholders, mobilizing international funding dedicated to Renewable Energy Madagascar and the development of more efficient and environmentally friendly solutions.

Lessons to be learned for Madagascar

Accelerate the transition to renewable energy solutions

Mobilize private investment in the sector
Develop a balanced and equitable pricing policy Implement a reliable and integrated infrastructure planUltimately, taking responsibility and mobilizing all stakeholders are essential to address this structural crisis. The prospect of a future without interminable outages rests on a shared desire to modernize Madagascar Power, while preserving the interests of citizens and respecting the environment. The question remains: how far will the sector be able to adapt to the challenges of green and sustainable energy? Discover how to manage a power outage, the possible causes, safety tips, and tricks to stay prepared during unexpected power outages.Technological innovations on the horizon: towards a more resilient future One of the central strategies to address the energy crisis in Madagascar is the massive deployment of Renewable Energy Madagascarthrough the integration of innovative solutions. The adoption of technologies such as the
Smart Grid —an intelligent electricity network capable of optimizing distribution and consumption—appears to be a crucial step in ensuring a stable supply, adaptable to fluctuations in demand and the integration of renewable energies. Beyond this, several large-scale projects are underway or planned to convert dependence on traditional sources of energy toward increased use of green resources. Biomass, solar photovoltaic, and small-scale hydropower are priority areas in this approach. Madagascar Power, in partnership with international stakeholders, aims to extend these initiatives to all rural areas, especially since the backlog in grid modernization must be addressed to avoid future outages. A key innovation also lies in real-time management, enabled by the implementation of a Power Solutions system based on data and artificial intelligence. These tools would make it possible to anticipate outages and optimize consumption nationwide, thus contributing to greater system resilience. Flagship Projects for Madagascar Project Name Energy Type

Objective

1. Partners
2. State
3. Ambatolampy Solar Project
4. Solar Photovoltaic
5. Provide 50 MW to rural areas

Power Solutions, local NGO

Ivato hydropower

Small hydropower Strengthen the regional grid INSTAT Madagascar, foreign partners Planned for 2026 Smart Grid Antananarivo
Smart Energy Optimize distribution in the capitalSustainable Energy, Madagascar Power
Advanced Planning The Challenges of the Energy Transition in a Fragile Social and Economic Context Despite the stated desire to modernize infrastructure, the implementation of strategies to promote innovative

Power Solutions

Objective

Partners Status Community Solar Microgrid Photovoltaic Solar Power Powering 10 Isolated Villages
Local NGO, Power Solutions Under DeploymentIoT Sensors for Predictive Maintenance
Internet of Things
Reducing Outages and Accidents INSTAT Madagascar, Technology Partners Pilot Phase

Energy Management Platform

1. Cloud & AI
2. Optimizing National Consumption
3. Madagascar Power, International Experts
4. Strategic Project
5. Critical Issues for the Sustainability of Madagascar’s Energy Sector by 2030

The reform of the JIRAMA (National Energy Agency) and the modernization of Madagascar Power appear essential if the country wishes to pursue a sustainable development and energy independence approach. However, several major challenges remain. Among them, the need to reduce dependence on fossil fuels, particularly coal and fuel oil, in favor of renewable energies, which are vital for reducing environmental impact and meeting international commitments regarding Green Energy. The ideal scenario would see production primarily derived from renewable sources, complemented by intelligent grid management.Furthermore, the transformation of the energy sector must be accompanied by a strong social component to ensure energy inclusion and prevent the costs of the transition from being borne solely by the most vulnerable. Political stability, transparent management, the fight against corruption, and a stimulating regulatory framework are also essential to attract long-term private investment. Outlook and Recommendations for 2030 Key ObjectivesPriority Actions

Partners

Success Indicators Increased Share of Renewable Energy Massive Investments in Solar and Wind Power
Mega International Projects, NGOs
50% of Electricity Production Resilient and Smart Electricity System Implementation of Smart Grid Power Solutions, Technology Partners Reducing Outages to Less than 5% Improving Access to Energy for All Deployment of Microgrids in Remote AreasInstitutions, Green Financing

80% of Rural Areas Connected