China Eximbank provides $130 million preferential buyer's credit for N’Djamena-Djermaya 66kV High Voltage Electricity Transmission Line and 90kV N'Djamena Power Transmission Loop and Distribution Network Project (Linked to Record ID#56308)

Project narrative

In 2011, China Eximbank and the Government of Chad signed a $130 million (CFA 83,992,912,730) preferential buyer’s credit (PBC) agreement for the N’Djamena-Djermaya 66kV High Voltage Electricity Transmission Line and 90kV N'Djamena Power Transmission Loop and Distribution Network Project. The borrowing terms of this loan are unknown. The proceeds of the loan were to be used by the borrower to finance 70% of the cost of two commercial (EPC) contracts worth approximately $185 million between the Government of Chad and China Machinery Engineering Corporation (CMEC), which were signed in April 2010. The project consisted of three components: the construction of a 40km, 66kv transmission line between Djarmaya (Djermaya) oil refinery and the substation in Lamadji; the construction of the 60MW Farcha II power plant (Centrale électrique de Farcha); and the construction of a 90kv electricity transmission loop around the city of N'Djamena (connecting the 60MW Farcha II power plant and the Lamadji, Djambalbar, and Garan-Gousso substations). CMEC was the EPC contractor responsible for implementation. On March 18, 2011, a groundbreaking ceremony was held. Chad’s President Deby, Prime Minister Dingal, and Chinese Ambassador to Chad Yang Guangyu attended the ceremony. On March 4, 2013, the Djarmaya-N’Djamena 66KV transmission line project subcomponent was officially completed. Then, on January 2, 2014, the Garan-Gousso substation and the 90kV transmission line from the 60MW Farcha II power plant to Garan-Gousso substation passed a 24-hour trial run. Roughly one year later, on January 29, 2015, power transmission began on the 90kV N'Djamena ring network.