Lom-Pangar Project to Electrify 150 Localities (AfDB)

11 November 2011
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African Development Bank (Abidjan)
press release

The Board of Directors of the African Development Bank (AfDB) Group today approved a USD 71.1- million loan from African Development Fund's resources to finance the Lom-Pangar Hydroelectric project in Cameroon. The project estimated to cost USD 419.2 million is jointly financed by five donors including the World Bank, the European Investment Bank, the Development Bank of Central African States and the French Development Agency.

In approving the project, the Board took note of its strategy importance to Cameroon and the sub-region. By maximizing the hydroelectric power potential of the Sanaga River by over 5000 megawatts, the project will help to provide rural electrification to some 150 localities including 9 administrative centers while connecting 10,000 new subscribers in the East Region of Cameroon to the national grid. It will reduce the technical and structural difficulties facing the energy sector in Cameroon and enhance the country's energy infrastructure, which are among the essential conditions for improving national economic growth and competitiveness. The Board also noted that the project would help Cameroon achieve its objective of becoming an emerging country by 2035.

Commenting on the project, the AfDB's energy sector director, Hela Cheikhrouhou explained that "Lom-Pangar is a clean and durable energy project which is crucial to the Bank's long term vision and for Cameroon's 2011-2014 strategy." She said that the overarching objective of the vision was to support Cameroon in developing viable rural electrification programs and other low carbon energy sources, taking into consideration issues of sustainability and the social environment including gender related benefits. "The project is the result of a comprehensive study with other development partners and its component package comprises an impounding dam, a hydroelectric plant, transformer stations, transmission and distribution lines" These components will enable the project to increase the number of income generating activities for women in particularly.

The AfDB has financed seven operations in the energy sector amounting to USD 252.5 million since it started operation in Cameroon in 1972

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