Name and Location
Memve’ele hydropower project, Cameroon.

Project Description
The Memve’ele project involves building a 201 MW hydroelectric dam on the Ntem river, in south-eastern Cameroon, in the middle of the equatorial rainforest.

This will also entail the construction of a section line, about 40 km long, to interconnect the project with the networks of Equatorial Guinea and Gabon, as well as the construction of roads and implementation of other socioeconomic projects.

Value
The project is estimated to cost $795-million.

Duration
The project is expected to be completed in 2016.

Client
Government of Cameroon, represented by its Ministère de l’Energie et de l’Eau (Minee).

Key Contracts and Suppliers
Sinohydro (main contractor) and Hydrochina (investigation and design).

Latest Developments
In May 2011, the government of Cameroon reportedly secured a $542-million loan from the Export-Import Bank of China to fund the construction of the proposed Memve’ele hydroelectric dam.

On Budget and on Time?
The project was initially expected to reach completion in December 2014; however, owing to a lack of funding, it is now planned to be completed in 2016.

Contact Details for Project Information
Minee, tel +237 22 22 6180/6182, fax +237 22 22 6177 or email contact@minee.cm.
Sinohydro, tel +86 10 5838 2888 or fax +86 10 5896 0134.