GE Renewable Energy (GE) is to provide seven 60MW Francis turbines for the new Nachtigal hydropower plant in Cameroon in an $87million contract awarded by Nachtigal Hydro Power Company (NHPC).
GE is leading a consortium for the contract that also includes Elecnor. GE's hydro teams are responsible for the whole coordination of the project, including the design, manufacturing, erection supervision and commissioning of the turbines and generators, the control system and the mechanical Balance of Plant. The contract will be managed by GE Renewable Energy's Centers of Excellence located in Belfort, Grenoble (France) and Tianjin (China).
Elecnor will supply, manufacture, install and commission the electrical Balance of Plant and high voltage substations. They will also manage the powerhouse finishing works as well as the erection on site.
Owned and operated by NHPC – which is jointly owned by the Republic of Cameroon, EDF, International Finance Corporation, Africa 50 and STOA – the new 420MW hydropower plant will be located on the Sanaga river near the Nachtigal Falls. It is expected the new project will cover 30% of the country's electricity demand, amounting to an annual output of nearly 3TWh, securing an additional and reliable source of electricity for the country.
"Nachtigal hydropower plant is one of the pillars supporting the energy development plan that is implemented in Cameroon,” commented Pascal Radue, President & CEO of GE's Hydro Solutions. “We are proud to support the country in this significant transformation and work closely with Nachtigal Hydro Power Company. When the plant is fully in operation in 2023, the population will benefit from a facilitated, improved and sustainable access to renewable electricity."
