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Théodore Nsangou, Managing Director EDC: Full set-up of Lom Pangar dam to happen in July 2016

Théodore Nsangou, Managing Director EDC: Full set-up of Lom Pangar dam to happen in July 2016
  • Comments   -   Saturday, 03 October 2015 04:46

(Business in Cameroon) - Electricity Development Corporation (EDC) and CWE initiated the stage for partial filling of Lom Pangar dam, which is in construction in the Eastern part of Cameroon. In the following partially published interview ( full version will be released in our October 2015 edition of Business in Cameroon magazine), Théodore Nsangou, EDC’s Managing Director, defines the “partial set-up” concept, states its immediate impact on the Cameroonian power sector, and unveils what comes next in the schedule designed for the Lom Pangar project.  

Whilst progress on Lom Pangar project reached close to 90%, you initiated on 24 September 2015 the ‘partial set-up’ stage. What does this stage concretely involve ?

The concept of partial set-up encompasses two distinct ideas. First, the use of this term refers to a situation whereby the dam is being filled whilst construction is still ongoing. In this case, construction works is nearing 90%, meaning 10% are left for the project to be completed.

Secondly, the other aspect of partial set-up or filling involves that of the full-filling of dam, which in the case of Lom Pangar will result in the retention of 6 billion cubic meters of water whereas only 3 billion cubic meters or half the previous volume is to be retained during partial set-up.

Wondering why we decided to launch partial set-up instead of waiting for the full set-up in July 2016? Well, a trigger to this decision is the current energy crisis our country goes through, but also because we worry about the upcoming dry season in 2016 which could be devastating. This partial set-up should mitigate this deficit given that Eneo, Cameroon’s public electricity provider, fulfills its commitments relating to distribution.

What is the immediate impact of this partial set-up on the Cameroonian power sector, during the next dry season?

By December 2015, we will start regulating flow at the Sanaga River. Usually, at the beginning of March and April, the dry season reaches its peak. As you remember last year during that period, the Mape, Mbakaou and Bamendjin dams dried up completely as a result of a one billion cubic meters deficit.

This would not have happened if the Lom Pangar dam was present at the time. Truly, this dam should provide 2 to 3 billion cubic meters water during the next low-flow period. Eneo, now having four dams with a compound retention capacity of 9 billion cubic meters water, in place of previous 6 billion cubic meters water provided by three dams, should adequately manage its resources in water so as to better handle the dry season. This should impact on the output deficit which is usually observed during the dry season. According to our estimations, power shortages which are associated to this output will decrease by 70%.

What comes next after this partial set-up or partial filling?

We expect to complete construction by June next year, and proceed to the final stage of the project, namely the full set-up of dam planned for July 2016. Meanwhile, we should be able to start by December 2015, the construction of a fixed factory on dam’s site, considering the significant progress in the process for selection of a company which will carry out the project.

Aside the construction site of the factory, there will be the construction of a high-voltage line between Lom pangar and Bertua, as well as implementation of a project to supply electricity to villages in the East as part of environmental and social management plan, a very important program which could last over a period of 3 to 4 years.

Interview at Lom Pangar, by Brice R. Mbodiam

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