China Eximbank provides loan for 84MW Impératrice Falls Dam and Electricity Transmission Lines Project

In 2017, the Government of Gabon came close to finalizing a loan agreement with China Eximbank for the 84MW Impératrice Falls Dam and Electricity Transmission Lines Project. There is evidence that a China Eximbank loan was eventually finalized for this project in the Government of Gabons annual reports, but the face value, borrowing terms, and commitment year are unknown. Sometime in 2018, 1,725,000,000 FCFA was drawn down. This project was to involve the construction of of a hydroelectric power plant at the "Chutes de l’Impératrice Eugénie" waterfalls on the Ngounié river in Ngounié Province, 5 km upstream of Fougamou. The purpose of this project is to supply power to Nobium de Mabounié, Manganèse de Ndjolé, the wood processing industries located in the Moyen-Ogooué province, and the cities of Mouila, Mandji, and Libreville. In 2010, the Government Gabon awarded the project contract to a company called CODER and construction started. However, the Government of Gabon terminated the contract in 2013 due to delays in implementation. Then, in 2014, the project contract was given to China Gezhouba Group Company (CGGC), and as of September 2, 2018, CGGC's implementation had not yet started.

Additional details

1. This project is also known as the 86MW Chutes de l’Impératrice Hydropower Project. The French project title is Barrage et Lignes de Transports Electriques Chutes Impératrice or Les travaux de construction du barrage de l'Impératrice Eugénie or le Barrage de l'Impératrice.

Number of official sources

8

Number of total sources

10