Chollet Hydroelectric Power Station is a 600 megawatts (800,000 hp) hydroelectric power station under development across the Ngoko River, in Cameroon and the Republic of the Congo in Central Africa. The construction contract was awarded to China Gezhouba Group Company (CGGC), in May 2021.[1]
| Chollet Hydroelectric Power Station | |
|---|---|
  Map of Cameroon showing the location of Chollet Dam.  Chollet Hydroelectric Power Station (Africa) .svg) Chollet Hydroelectric Power Station (Earth) | |
| Country | Cameroon |
| Coordinates | 02°00′48″N 15°00′07″E / 2.01333°N 15.00194°E |
| Purpose | Power |
| Status | Under construction |
| Opening date | 2027 Expected |
| Construction cost | US$700 million |
| Owner(s) | Government of Cameroon & Government of the Republic of the Congo |
| Dam and spillways | |
| Impounds | Ngoko River |
| Turbines | 6 x 100 MW |
| Installed capacity | 600 megawatts (800,000 hp) |
Location edit
The power station is located in southeastern Cameroon at the border with the Republic of the Congo, across the Dja River (Ngoko River). The power station is also located close to the borders of the Central African Republic and Gabon.[1]
Overview edit
On 28 October 2010, Cameroon and Congo signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to construct a 600 megawatts hydroelectric plant across the Ngoko River that runs along their common border. At that time, it was expected that each government would raise fifty percent of the construction funds. Sinohydro, the engineering and construction conglomerate was tasked to oversee the engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC).[2]
When the concept was re-visited in October 2020, Sinohydro was dropped as the EPC contractor, because the two countries could not independently raise the money to pay for the dam, under prevailing conditions. A new model of Build, Own, Operate and Transfer (BOOT), was adopted. The Gezhouba Group was selected to undertake the task, under the new model.[3]
Development edit
Under the new model, the work will be carried out in there phases.[4]
Phase 1 edit
This phase comprises the feasibility study, the environmental impact assessment study and related assessments. The infrastructure involved include the dam, the power station, the substations, the evacuation power lines and the related roadways in both countries.[4]
Phase 2 edit
The second phase involves the actual construction of the dam, the power station and related infrastructure. Work also involves the construction of substations, high voltage power lines and access roads in both Cameroon and Congo. Indigenous staff in both countries will be trained to operate the infrastructure and sustainably manage the environment during this phase.[4]
Phase 3 edit
The third phase involves the commissioning and operation of the project and the signing of the project agreement. The two governments are expected to form a special purpose vehicle company which will own and operate the power station, when the Gezhouba Group transfers it to the two governments.[4]
Funding edit
Under the old model in 2010, the cost of development was estimated at about US$700 million.[1] With the new BOOT model in 2021, estimated costs have escalated to as high as US$1.2 billion.[4]
See also edit
References edit
- ^ a b c Jean Marie Takouleu (4 May 2021). "Cameroon–Congo: China's CGGC wins the construction of the Chollet dam (600 MW)". Paris, France: Afrik21.africa. Retrieved 11 May 2021.
- ^ Albert Savana (10 May 2021). "Cameroon-Congo: the construction of the Chollet dam is structured". Dakar, Senegal: Kapital Afrik. Retrieved 11 May 2021.
- ^ Jean Marie Takouleu (29 October 2020). "Cameroon–Congo: The 600 MW hydroelectric project on the Dja/Ngoko river relaunched in 2021?". Paris France: Afrik21.africa. Retrieved 11 May 2021.
- ^ a b c d e Patrick Mulyungi (6 May 2021). "Chollet hydroelectric dam project to be carried out by CGGC". Nairobi, Kenya: Construction Review Online. Retrieved 11 May 2021.
External links edit
- Cameroon-Congo Joint Project: Construction of Chollet HEP Dam Imminent As of 2 October 2019.