On 29 May, a major milestone was reached at the Nachtigal hydro-electric power project located on the Sanaga river in Cameroon. In the early morning hours, water flowed for the first time along the 3.3-km-long and 14-meter-deep inlet canal as part of the first sealing tests.
As the construction and coating works had been finalised, these tests could be carried out and were concluded with success. This strategic phase in the project was required to check for any leaks and confirm the asphalt and concrete connection works on the canal.
Congrats to our team in Cameroon for achieving this essential milestone!
The next crucial step in the project will be to fill the upstream reservoir with water which is scheduled for mid-July. At the end of the year, the Nachtigal team will start testing the power generator #1.
BESIX is taking part in the development of the Nachtigal hydro-electric power project in partnership with French company NGE and Moroccan company SGTM. Next to this supply canal, which is now ready, the complete scope of the works also consisted in designing and building a 1.5-km-long, 14-metre-high dam wall. BESIX and its partners also carried out the civil engineering works for the hydro-electric plant and the water intake installations.
The Nachtigal hydro-electric project will cover 30 % of Cameroon’s energy needs with a production capacity of 420 MW.