11 November 2013, Yaounde – The Cameroonian government is expecting 420 megawatts of electricity from the Natchtigal River.
The government has signed an agreement with three organisations for the construction of a power plant on the river.
Prime Minister Philemon Yang chaired the signing of the agreement November 8 between the government of Cameroon on one hand and, the Electricité de France, EDF, the International Finance Cooperation, a World Bank affiliate and Rio Tinto Alcan to provide 420 megawatts of electricity on River Natchtigal.
The Minister of Water Resources and Energy, Basile Atangana Kouna, signed the agreement on behalf of the Cameroon government.
EDF holds 40 per cent stake in the project while 34 per cent is for the International Finance Cooperation and 26 for the Cameroonian government.
Cameroon and Rio Tinto Alcan agreed in 2005 on the need to partner and modernise the energy sector to meet the growing electricity demand.
The signing of the estimated FCFA 400 billion project, Atangana Kouna said, is expected to propel industrialisation. It is an important project that will induce close to 430 megawatts to the country’s energy sector, the Energy Minister said, noting that all is set for the execution of the project.
The representative of EDF who is also former French Minister of Cooperation, Michel Roussin signed for his company and said they are noted internationally for respecting their terms of contract with utmost emphasis on environmental concerns.
EDF’s regional representative, Edouard Dahome said the signing of the agreement was an opportunity for them to make their contribution to Cameroon’s growing energy sector.
“It is a huge project and we think it is a brilliant opportunity for us to contribute for the future of the energy sector in Cameroon,” Dahome said, emphasizing: “We promise that we will be there to deliver the project in time and on target, respecting the cost of the project.”
The installed capacity of the project stands at 360 megawatts with the possibility of extension to 420 megawatts. The guaranteed capacity is estimated at 270 megawatts still with possibility of extension to 330 megawatts.
According to the agreement, construction of the power plant would begin in six months after the signing of the contract.
– Cameroon Tribune