EQUATORIAL GUINEA – The government of Equatorial Guinea has secured US$138 million (122 million euros) from The Development Bank of Central African States (BDEAC)  in additional financing for the completion of the 200 MW Sendje hydroelectric power station.

A report by Africa Energy Portal noted that funds from the BDEAC will enable the authorities of the Central African country to continue construction work on the Sendje dam, whose total cost amounts to around €467 million (about US$526.64 million).

The Development Bank of Central African States (BDEAC) notes that the Sendje hydroelectric power project will also make it possible “to increase the rate of connection to Equatorial Guinea’s electricity network and to make up for the electricity deficit that is paralysing the economic growth of the country in general.”

BDEAC further noted that, the hydroelectric power plant will contribute to reducing dependence on oil-fired thermal generation units by integrating renewable energy into the electricity production system.

“In this way, Equatorial Guinea’s carbon footprint will be improved and the effects of climate change mitigated.”

The Sendje hydroelectric power station is located on the Weller River 40 km east of Bata, a port city in Equatorial Guinea.

Construction of the plant started in 2012 and is expected to be completed by the end of 2020.

The work is being carried out by the Ukrainian company Duglas Alliance, which specialises in the construction of hydroelectric and industrial facilities.

Upon completion The Sendje hydroelectric power station will have a capacity of 200 MW, making it the largest power station of its kind in the central African nation.

The hydroelectric power station will consist of four turbines, each with a capacity of 50 MW, supplied by Alstom, a company based in France.

Once the plant is operational, it will supply all the towns on the mainland of Equatorial Guinea with “clean” and “sustainable” energy.

 The cities expected to be beneficiaries of power from the Sendje hydroelectric power station include Bata, Mbini, Kogo, Añisok, Mongomo, Ebebiyin, among others.

According to Africa Energy Portal, completion of the Sendje hydroelectric power station and subsequent connection to the national grid will increase the country’s electricity capacity to 590 MW.

In addition to improving access to electricity, the Sendje hydroelectric power station project will help to reduce the average price of kW/h, with a substantial gain for customers.

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