Information:
The Rural Electrification Project in The Gambia started
in 1993 when Electricite de France (EDF) prepared an
electrification master plan for the GBA and the rural
provinces, which basically envisaged the electrification
of towns within 80-km radius from two proposed central
power stations in the Gambia's rural centres of Mansakonko
and Bansang.
The project would consists of 6 power stations supported
by 11kv transmission systems that it is hoped will form
the basis for developing a national grid across Gambia.
The new project will extend power to new areas and consolidate
supply in others.
Lahmeyer International (LI) was thereafter commissioned
by NAWEC in 1997 to prepare an “Engineering Study” for
economically feasible rural electrification projects
based on the EDF conclusions and recommendations of
the 1993 master plan.
The LI study presented recommendations with respect
to the location and size of the power plans and the
associated transmission network to electrify the fifty
(50) settlements that met the selection criteria.
Components of The Project:
The rural electrification project consists of:
• Construction of six power stations;
• Supply,
installation and rehabilitation of six transmission
and distribution networks;
• Compensation;
• Supply and installation of environmental monitoring
equipment;
• Consultancy services for Supervision
& Audit.
The primary objective of the project is to encourage
economic growth in The Gambia by providing continuous
power supply to 46 towns and villages thereby contributing
to the reduction of poverty in the project area. The
project aims to develop the initial stage of a national
power grid, which will eventually be connected to the
Greater Banjul system.
The total cost of the project net of taxes is estimated
at US$22.3 million (GMD 223 million) of which $19 million
(GMD 190 million) will be externally funded by the ADB,
BADEA and the IDB. The remaining amount is to be funded
locally by NAWEC in local currency, the Dalasi.
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Donor Funding For the Rural
Electrification Project: |
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| Description: |
Funding sources: |
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Power Stations |
BADEA |
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Transmitting & Grid |
Islamic Development Bank |
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Bansang area network & consultancy
services |
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The ADF funds will be utilised to finance part of the
networks, the Environmental Marketing Equipment and
the consultancy services. BADEA will finance the foreign
exchange cost of the power stations component while,
the IDB will provide all the foreign exchange funds
for part of the networks in Gambia. NAWEC will finance
the entire local cost of the project amounting to D33
million.
Its implementation will enhance the economic opportunities
of the populace in these areas and improve their social
well being thereby assisting in the reduction of poverty.
Consequently, rural migration to the GBA will be reduced. |
