Concord Times (Freetown)
Bhoyy Jalloh
7 February 2008
Freetown — Sierra Leone and other countries in West Africa will soon benefit from a sub-regional generated electricity following the signing of a memorandum of understanding between West Africa Power Pool (WAPP) and a Chinese company, Sinohydro.
Both organizations have agreed to work together in the development of the CLSG power system, a project that involves the construction of four power stations and a dam to boost electricity supply to Sierra Leone Cote d'Ivoire, Guinea and Liberia.
Sinohydro also expressed "serious interest as a major strategic partner" in developing the Kaleta and Sambangalou hydro power schemes based on the public-private partnership model.
The power scheme across The Gambia River will supply electricity to the four member states of The Gambia, Guinea, Guinea Bissau and Senegal.
The MOU, which is for an initial period of three years, renewable automatically for another two years, also requires Sinohydro to provide technical assistance that will enable WAPP develop expertise in hydropower development, design, operations and power system planning, including other areas to be mutually agreed and deemed important to the smooth operations of the WAPP.
Sinohydro is also expected, based on its leading technology in the sector and the support of the Chinese Government and banks, assist the WAPP either in securing credit or participating as a strategic partner for developing power projects in ECOWAS Member States.
The Cotonou-based WAPP is expected to provide relevant information and guidance, including the regional power system development plan to Sinohydro during its market development.
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