Located on the Mbei River, 100 km east of the capital city of Libreville, the Kinguele Aval Hydropower Project will deliver about 13% of the electricity needs of Libreville. This power plant will help replace thermal power capacities and will save more than 150,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions per year, Meridiam says.
This 33-year-concession project includes the construction of a gravity concrete weir, power plant, stilling basin and substation. Construction is scheduled to start in the second quarter of 2020, with commissioning scheduled for the end of 2023. During the construction period, 800 direct jobs will be created. And during the operation phase, 20 Gabonese professionals will be responsible for operation of the hydroelectric power plant.
An environmental and social impact assessment in line with IFC performance standards confirmed low impact on fauna and flora and that no population will need to be resettled. Nevertheless, actions will be implemented to the benefit of the environment and the social communities:
• A biodiversity action plan will protect or rebuild habitats of endangered species with positive net gain. And financial support will be provided for research in botany and fish studies.
• Rural electrification will also be addressed with the connection of the village of Andock Foula, located 3 km from the site and currently without electricity.
• Hospital staff and patients will be provided with new and modern equipment to ensure effective treatment of populations and workers on site.
• A fund will be set up to support local initiatives and assist local communities in developing sustainable activities.
Meridiam will own 60% of the Kinguele Hydropower project company, with its partner FGIS (the sovereign wealth fund of Gabon) owning 40%. The €150 million (US$165.6 million) project is expected to be 75% financed by the International Finance Corporation (IFC), African Development Bank (AfDB), Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA) and Islamic Development Bank (IDB).
