Nachtigal Hydroelectric Power Station
The Nachtigal Hydroelectric Power Station is a 420 megawatt run-of-the-river hydroelectric power station under development in Cameroon across the Sanaga River, which harnesses the energy of the "Nachtigal Falls". The development rights were granted to "Nachtigal Hydro Power Company" (NHPC), a company owned by a consortium comprising (a) Électricité de France (b) International Finance Corporation and (c) the Government of Cameroon. A 35-year power purchase agreement is in place, between Eneo Cameroon S.A. and NHPC. Location. The dam lies across the Sanaga River, about north-east of Yaoundé, the capital city of  Cameroon. Overview. The design calls for a gravity dam with a power potential of 420 megawatts, powered by seven turbines, each with a capacity of 60 megawatts. The roller-compacted concrete (RCC) dam will create a reservoir with a surface area of , capable of storing 2.78 million m³ of water. As part of this project, NHPC the concessionaire, will construct a double circuit 225 kilovolt high voltage transmission line measuring in length, that will transmit the generated power to a substation where it will be integrated into the national electricity grid. Once the high voltage transmission line is constructed and  operational, ownership, operation and maintenance will transfer to "National Electricity Construction Company" (Sonatrel). Ownership. The power station is owned by the special purpose company named Nachtigal Hydro Power Company (NHPC). The table below illustrates the shareholding in NHPC. Construction costs. The estimated costs for the dam and power plant was €1.2 billion in 2018. Approximately €300 million (25 percent) was raised internally by the NHPC consortium as equity investment. The remaining amount, about €900 million, was borrowed from the eleven international financiers and four Cameroonian banks. Some of the lenders to this project include the following: Timeline  and commissioning. In December 2021, "Afrik21" reported that the first 60 megawatt turbine was expected to be commissioned in July 2023. The final and seventh of equally rated turbines is expected to come online in July 2024.