- The construction of the 140MW Gouina hydroelectric plant in Mali has been completed.
- The project was financed by the Export-Import Bank of China and constructed by PowerChina International Group Limited.
The Gouina Hydroelectric Plant is a run-of-the-river-type hydroelectric installation currently being constructed on Gouina Falls along the Senegal River in Mali. It is located about 18 km southeast of Diamou in the Kayes Region. The plant is expected to provide power to Guinea, Mauritania, Mali and Senegal.
Goverment officials from Guinea, Mali, Senegal and Mauritania also attended the ceremony to mark the completion of the project. Image credit: OMVS
The plant will use the outflows of the Manantali Dam upstream to regulate water flow to the plant. A 1,230 m (4,040 ft) long weir just above the water fall will direct water into a channel which will feed the power house just downstream of the falls. The difference in elevation the water fall and weir provide will afford a hydraulic head (water drop) of 22.5 m (74 ft). The power house has three 46.6 MW Kaplan turbine-generators.
Chinese Ambassador to Mali Chen Zhihong said that the Gouina hydroelectricplant adds a new example to China-Africa infrastructure cooperation and reflects the positive results of China-Africa joint construction of Belt and Road.
Author: Bryan Groenendaal
