Electricity supply in the country is expected to increase by 100 megawatts by December 2011 upon the completion of four thermal plants currently under construction in Bamenda, North West Region (20 Megawatts), Ahala, Yaounde and Mbalmayo in the Centre Region (60 and 10 Megawatts respectively), and Ebolowa in the South Region (10 Megawatts).
After whirlwind tour of the four project sites last week to assess the level of progress, Minister Michael, reassured: “All equipment are in place, work is going on and we are within schedule and will be ready on time.” On his part, Dr. Mustapha Amin, the Chief Executive Officer of PSP Elsewedy, one of the contractors, expressed similar optimism. “We are using quality equipment from Europe and Egypt. We designed the project in accordance with international standards. With respect to environmental protection, we have already outlined and followed all the environmental regulations of this country; especially for fire hazards and noise of the engines.”
“We are keeping the noise level and emissions within environmentally acceptable limits. We’ll do our best to meet the Minister’s two-week deadline. We faced some problems with customs clearance and bringing the material. But today, we have all the material available and technicians working on site. We’ll do our best to work round the clock,” he concluded.
Upon completion, the additional 100 megawatts generated by the thermal plants will be added to the national grid. It is intended to boost electricity supply during the dry season when the water level in hydroelectric dams falls.
