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
| Description: |
Funding sources: |
| Power
Stations |
BADEA |
| |
|
| Transmitting
& Grid |
Islamic
Development Bank |
| Bansang
area network & consultancy services |
|
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.
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