A project of $ 812 million.
Long awaited, the dam Koukoutamba is in the process of realization. The signing of the commercial contract on February 26, 2019 between the Senegal River Development Organization (OMVS) and the Chinese Sinohydro took place in the presence of Guinea’s President Alpha Condé. Also present was Cheik Taliby Sylla, Minister of Energy and Hydraulics of the Republic of Guinea, President-in-Office of the Council of Ministers of OMVS.
The hydroelectric development of Koukoutamba is planned in Guinean territory on the Bafing, main tributary of the Senegal River, about 570 km north-east of the capital Conakry. It consists mainly of the dam, HV transmission lines, an access road of 150 km and the City of the Owner.
The hydroelectric development of Koukoutamba is planned in Guinean territory on the Bafing, main tributary of the Senegal River, about 570 km north-east of the capital Conakry. It consists mainly of the dam, HV transmission lines, an access road of 150 km and the City of the Owner.
The project will also participate in the regulation of flows in the Senegal River, to the benefit of activities related to agriculture, navigation, the supply of drinking water, fishing and the preservation of the basin’s ecosystems.
Innovative financing
The cost of the project is estimated at 812 million USD. The financing method selected is the Engineering Procurement Construction (EPCF), ie turnkey construction, with funding provided. This is the first project of the Omvs designed according to this mode of financing. The estimated time of completion of the work is 4 years.
Three (3) other hydroelectric developments are planned in the medium term by the OMVS on the Guinean territory, as well as about twenty micro-power sites intended for rural electrification.
The implementation of the OMVS infrastructure program will make available 67% of the total hydropower capacity of the basin, estimated at 2,000 MW. It will generate an annual saving of about 240 billion CFA francs on the oil import bills of the Member States.
As a reminder, OMVS is actively involved in supplying Member States with energy by selling electricity to the various national companies in charge of electricity. As it stands, 260 MW are produced by the Manantali and Felou plants and routed through the Manantali Interconnected Grid (RIMA).
About the Organization for the Development of the Senegal River
Founded in March 1972, OMVS is an inter-state body comprising Senegal, Mauritania, Guinea and Mali. Its vocation is to promote an integrated and coordinated development of the Senegal River Basin, based on the control and rational exploitation of water resources. This ambition of states is cemented by ideals of solidarity, sharing, equity and a culture of peace.