China Eximbank provides RMB 850 million government concessional loan for Libreville Electricity Network Renovation Project

In 2011, China Eximbank and the Government of Gabon signed an RMB 850 million government concessional loan (GCL) agreement for the Libreville Electricity Network Renovation Project. The loan was then approved by Gabon's President and Council of Ministers on February 21, 2013 (see ''加蓬通过政府法令草案批准向中国进出口银行融资''). The GCL carries a 20 year maturity and a 2.5% interest rate. The proceeds of the loan were used by the borrower to finance a 2009 commercial contract between Sinohydro Engineering Bureau 4 Co. Ltd and Gabon’s Ministry of Energy and Water Resources and the Ministry of Economy and Trade. This project involved the construction of a substation in Angondje, the expansion of two substations in Ambowe and Bissegué, and the construction three overhead transmission lines and two underground cable transmission lines measuring 130 km in length. Sinohydro Engineering Bureau 4 Co. Ltd was the contractor responsible for implementation. Its ultimate objective was to better connect Libreville to surrounding areas. Its work was overseen by the Electricity Office of Energy and Hydraulic Resources Department of the Government of Gabon. The project officially commenced on June 10, 2011. As of May 2014, the new substation in Angondje, the expansion of the two substations in Ambowe (Ntoum) and Bissegué, and the construction of a 23 km underground cable transmission line from Ambowe to Owendo (connecting to the Ambowe-Owendo power plant) were completed. Although this project was completed, it precise completion date is unknown.

Additional details

This project is also known as the Libreville Power Grid Upgrade Project and Libreville Electric Network Renovation Project. The French project title is Transport Énergie Électrique or Sécurisation du réseau électrique de Libreville. The Chinese project title is 利伯维尔地区电力输送网络安全工程 or 加蓬电网改造项目 or 加蓬利伯维尔地区城市电网改造项目

Number of official sources

8

Number of unofficial sources

14