(Business in Cameroon) - The government of Cameroon has signed an agreement with the Electricité de France, EDF, the International Finance Cooperation, a World Bank affiliate and Rio Tinto Alcan to provide 420 megawatts of electricity on the River Natchtigal. The agreement was signed at the Prime Minister’s Office on Friday November 8, 2013 between Cameroon’s Minister of Water Resources and Energy, Basile Atangana Kouna, and representatives of the institutions under the auspices of Prime Minister, Philemon Yang.

Cameroon Tribune quotes Minister Atangana Kouna as saying that the signing of the agreement for the estimated FCFA 400 billion project is expected to shove industrialization. “It is an important project that will induce close to 430 megawats to the country’s energy sector and it is on instruction of the Head of State to develop the River Natchtigal in partnership with EDF,” Energy Minister said, noting that they are ready to mobilize all it takes for the project to be executed and on time.

The Representative of EDF, Michel Roussin signed for his company and said they are noted regionally and international for respecting their terms of contract with utmost emphasis on the respect for environmental concerns. The Natchtigal project, he noted, was original and complex and it was EDF’s duty as an internationally recognized energy production company to join hands with the Cameroon government to carry on with the beautiful government initiative.

EDF`s regional representative, Edouard Dahome said the signing of the agreement was an opportunity for them to step up their contribution to the Cameroon`s growing energy sector. “It is huge project and we think it is a brilliant opportunity for us to contribute for the future of the energy sector in Cameroon,” Dahome noted.

The installed capacity of the project stands at 360 megawatts with the possibility of extension to 420. The guaranteed capacity is estimated at 270 megawatts still with possibility of extension to 330 megawatts. The terms of the agreement spell out that the construction of the power plant would begin in six months after the signing of the contract.

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