Chinese Government provides RMB 43 million grant for 3.6MW Bicomo Hydroelectric Power Plant Rehabilitation Project (Linked to Record ID#72332, #101964)

Project narrative

On April 14, 2016, the China Railway 14th Bureau Group Co. Ltd. and Equatorial Guinea’s Ministry of Mines, Industry and Energy signed an 18-month contract for Phase 1 of the 3.6MW Bicomo Hydroelectric Power Plant Rehabilitation Project. The project, which is captured via Record ID#62267, was supported by an RMB 43 million grant from the Chinese Government. The purpose of this project was to update four 800 kilowatt hydraulic generators and their auxiliary equipment at the Bicomo Hydroelectric Power Plant, which is located near Bata on the road that connects the towns of Nkue and Mongomo (also in the mainland), the telecommunications buildings of Malabo and Bata, and the Radio Equatorial station (in Bata). The project also facilitated the repairs and improvements to the butterfly valve of the generator and output wiring metal structures, and the conditioning of the reservoir. A commencement ceremony took place on December 16, 2016, and the project was inspected by China’s Economic Counsellor in Equatorial Guinea, Su Jianguo, on July 7-8, 2016. The project was officially completed and handed over to the local authorities in Equatorial Guinea on February 2, 2018. Then, on August 9, 2018, the Chinese Government pledged to assist with the maintenance of the Bicomo Hydroelectric Power Plant during a visit to Beijing by Equatorial Guinea's President. A technical assistance agreement for Phase 1 of the 3.6MW Bicomo Hydroelectric Power Plant Maintenance Project was signed by the two governments in September 2018, and a technical maintenance team from China arrived in Equatorial Guinea on December 20, 2018. Then, on December 27, 2018, the technical maintenance team and the head of the hydropower station jointly conducted the first thorough inspection of the hydropower station, including the turbine unit, governor, DC system, operation panel, high-voltage panel and auxiliary equipment. According to source of funding for Phase 1 (China's Ministry of Commerce), the technical maintenance team would focus its rehabilitation efforts on four 800-kilowatt hydro-generator units and their ancillary facilities, as well as automated electrical equipment. Phase 1, which is captured via Record ID#72332, reached completion on December 25, 2021. Then, on March 1, 2022, the Chinese Government and the Government of Equatorial Guinea signed an exchange of notes, committing technical assistance for Phase 2 of the 3.6MW Bicomo Hydroelectric Power Plant Maintenance Project. Phase 2, which is captured via Record ID#101964, will include the provision of Chinese specialists to carry out maintenance work on the Bicomo Hydroelectric Plant and the training of local technicians. The Chinese Government originally funded the construction of the Bicomo Hydroelectric Power Plant during the 1970s and 1980s.