(Business in Cameroon) – The Nachtigal Dam project (420 MW) has already reached a completion rate of 96.7% as of the end of September 2024, according to the latest update from the project company, NHPC.
The company estimates that only about 3% of the civil engineering work and nearly 6% of the electromechanical work remain. The transmission line and the operation city have been 100% completed for several months.
The progress on this electricity production facility is promising for its full delivery, now expected by the end of January 2025 at the latest. This new timeline was shared by the Minister of Water and Energy, Gaston Eloundou Essomba, during a site visit on September 19, when he witnessed the commissioning of the third unit of the Nachtigal plant after a month of testing. This unit has since been able to inject 180 MW into Cameroon’s power grid.
“The goal is to commission one additional unit each month. So, in October, we will certainly have the fourth unit operational by the end of the month. Progress will continue so that, by the end of January 2025, all seven units will be in production,” the minister said.
With a total investment of CFA786 billion, the Nachtigal Dam will be Cameroon’s largest electricity production facility. Its 420 MW capacity will instantly increase the country’s production capacity by 30%. This energy infrastructure will also enhance the contribution of hydropower to the energy mix, leading to substantial savings on fuel purchases for thermal backup power plants.
Nachtigal will position Cameroon as a pioneer in electricity exports in Central Africa. This will be supported by the Cameroon-Chad Electricity Interconnection Project (Pirect), which aims to supply Chad with 100 MW of electricity by 2027.
