Gabon Boosts Energy Power Generation
Gabon has launched a rigorous initiative to revamp the energy sector to meet investors’ demands as well as the needs of the population, said Patrick Rodrigue Yalis Ongala, the director of electricity at Gabon’s Energy Ministry and Hydroelectric Resources.
The construction of one of the hydroelectric dam at Poubara, which the government is financing. It is one of many dams under construction to meet the energy demands of anticipated investment companies.
“There was a high rise in demand from the local population as well as industries. That’s why the government decided to upgrade [older] dams and is now constructing new ones,” said Ongala.
Officials say energy demand in the capital, Libreville, and surrounding areas is 183 Megawatts (MW) with an expected annual increase in demand of between 6-8 percent. To meet growing electricity energy needs, Ongala said, the administration plans to increase power production from 374 MW to 1200 MW by 2020.
The aim, he said, is to make electricity available to everyone. Ongala said excess power will be exported to neighboring countries in Central Africa.
He said to meet the administration’s energy objectives, the government will build new hydro-electric dams, gas powered thermal plants and a heavy fuel power station.
Ongala said the hydroelectric dams are being built in accordance with international standards.
“We are expecting 160 megawatts of energy in which 75 percent will be dedicated to the Mwanda factory and the rest of the 25 percent will be for the population network,” said Ongala. “We are constructing another dam in the southern region to produce about 84 megawatts, and also in the northern side on the Okano River, which will produce 54 megawatts of electricity.”
Officials say the hydroelectric dams providing 166 MW serves about 55 percent of the country’s demand. The dam at Tchimbele generates 69 MW, while the dam at Kinguele over the M’bei River produces 56 MW and the dam at Poubara on the Ogooue Rive produces 36 MW.
The power generated from the dams are supported by gas fired thermal plants, which Ongala said accounts for 140 MW and a heavy fuel power station that generated 30 MW of electricity.
China’s Sinohydro Company will build the hydroelectric dam in Haut Ogooue province. The project began in November 2008 at an estimated cost of $ 374,259,849.
Ongala predicted the new dam will soon produce electricity to meet the country’s energy needs.
“Around December 2012, we expect the construction of the first. After that we are going to install four generators at the dam for electricity production. The project is expected to be complete by June 2013,” said Ongala. “We are also having a construction of a dam in the southern side of the country, which is going to produce 84 MW and also in the northern side on the Okano River which is going to 54 MW of electricity power.”
Source: Voice of America
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