Background 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 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. 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 and Audit
The primary
objective of the project is to encourage economic growth in the
country 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.
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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. 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.
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