- The meeting granted by the Minister of Social Affairs (MINAS) to the KHPC delegation, led by its Director General Christophe Avognon, resulted in a substantive exchange regarding the social component of the 500MW Kikot-Mbebe Hydroelectric Development Project.
- During this engagement, a comprehensive presentation was delivered on the approach adopted by KHPC to ensure the management of impacts associated with the various social risks inherent to this type of project.
A preliminary environmental and social impact study, initiated in late 2023, had already enabled the early identification of these risks. This underscores the project’s unconditional commitment to complying with national regulations and international standards designed to protect the rights of local communities and vulnerable persons, with the added value of improving their living conditions. In this regard, the Environmental and Social Management Plan (ESMP) is designed to mitigate social impacts, incorporating considerations for local development, livelihood restoration, and the resettlement of affected persons. This ESMP is currently being developed in consultation with all relevant stakeholders, notably public administrations, civil society, and, most importantly, the concerned communities.
The Minister commended KHPC for its proactive work in addressing social issues. Consequently, a Cooperation Agreement will be signed in the coming weeks to secure MINAS’s support in implementing this crucial component of the Project. The shared objective between the parties is to establish the Kikot-Mbebe Hydroelectric Development Project as a benchmark initiative renowned for its social compliance.
Rendering of the 500MW Kikot-Mbebe Hydroelectric Development Project. Image credit: KHPC
The KHPC is responsible for the design, development, construction, and operation of the Kikot-Mbebe hydroelectric facility on the Sanaga River, with an installed capacity of 500 MW. The company was formed by the owners of this ambitious project, the State of Cameroon and the EDF Group, who are equal shareholders. The Kikot-Mbebe hydroelectric facility aims to construct structures on the Sanaga River to produce electrical energy, in compliance with environmental and social requirements. The production structures mainly include:
- A 35-meter-high and 1,400-meter-long reservoir dam;
- A power plant equipped with 6 turbines;
- A 400-kilovolt (kV) extra-high-voltage transmission line, 40 km long, connecting the power plants to the RIS connection point in Boumnyebel.
- 2025 – 2026 – Launch of Initial Construction Works; Financial Close
Author: Bryan Groenendaal
