Sinohydro and the Organisation for the Promotion of the Senegal River (OMVS) have signed a contract for the construction of a hydropower plant in Koukoutamba, Republic of Guinea.
The new plant will be built on the Bafing River, close to Koukoutamba north-east of Conakry.
The plant will feature 294 megawatts (MW) of capacity and hopes to produce around 88 gigawatthour (Gwh) per year, subject to optimum conditions of usage. Two 225 kilovolts (KV) high-voltage transmission lines will cover 600 kilometers and will allow OMVS’ existing network to connect to Guinea’s national grid. The project works are said to start imminently and last for approximatively four years, allowing operations to begin in 2023. Koukoutamba will be OMVS’ fourth and largest hydropower project.
For the first time since its inception, OMVS used an Engineering, Procurement, Construction and Finance (EPCF) contract for this project. According to this type of framework, Sinohydro is also in charge of securing financing for the project.
OMVS plans another three hydropower projects in the mid-term in the Republic of Guinea and 20 microplants for rural electrification. OMVS is currently developing an infrastructure program which aims to collect 67 percent of the river’s potential energy generation. Hamed Diane Semega, High Commissioner of the Organisation, expects total energy generation to reach 2,000 MW allowing involved countries to save $400m due to decreased fuel imports.
OMVS was created in 1972 and brings together four states: Senegal, Mauritania, The Republic of Guinea, and Mali around a common asset: the Senegal River. The aim is to develop infrastructures related to the river and develop its potential, namely in the energy sector.
