- The 420 MW Nachtigal hydroelectric dam in Cameroon is scheduled to be fully commissioned in July 2024.
- The project is currently 51% complete according to the Nachtigal Hydro Power Company (NHPC).
- The first turbine is expected to be commissioned in July 2023 and the seventh and final turbine in July 2024.
- The project is located 65 km north of the capital Yaoundé on the Sanaga River.
The Nachtigal hydroelectric project is being developed by NHPC made up of a consortium of French Energy IPP, EDF (40%), the World Bank Group institution IFC (30%) and the State of Cameroon (30%).
According to NHPC, the dam has reached 51% of its overall progress rate with 52% on the civil engineering package, 48.2% on the electromechanical package, 100% on the transmission line package and 86.6% on the operating package.
The transmission line contract, led by Bouygues Energies & Services is complete. Launched on the 1st February 2019, with an estimated cost of €16.5 million, this contract includes 3 power lines, completed in 31 months, earlier than expected.
Nachtigal Hydroelectric Project under construction in Cameroon. Image credit: Besix
The covid-19 pandemic and strike action have contributed to the delay in the delivery of the largest power generation infrastructure in the country, originally scheduled for 2023.
The plant, which will produce more than 2,900 GWh per year, will enable Cameroon to become a net exporter of electricity in the sub-region.
The overall cost of the project is 1.2 billion euros. Nearly a quarter of the cost will be financed by the equity of NHPC’s shareholders in proportion to their stake in the project, and the rest by lenders, including AFD (90 million euros) and Proparco (60 million euros).
Read more on the project history HERE
Author: Bryan Groenendaal
