China Gezhouba Group’s consortium has secured a contract to build $5.8bn Mambila hydroelectric power project in Nigeria.
Upon completion, the hydroelectric projects will have a power generation capacity of 3,050MW. The hydroelectric power plant will be located in Gembu, Taraba state, Nigeria. It is claimed to become the largest plant in Nigeria after completion.
The hydroelectric power project will include construction of four dams and 700km of transmission lines.
It will also feature two connecting roads with a total of 15.9km, two total 6.8km of diversion tunnel, two total of 7.6km tailrace tunnel, underground powerhouse, 12 impact water turbine and power generation system, 27,000 tons of gold knot security, and 184km approach road.
Under the terms of the contract, Nigeria will contribute about $870m to the project, representing 15% of overall cost.
The remaining cost of the project will be met by the China Energy Engineering through funding from the China Exim Bank.
Nigeria’s hydro power capacity is expected to exceed 4,500MW after the completion of the Mambilla power project.
In August, the Federal Executive Council (FEC) of Nigeria approved the development of the hydroelectric power project.
Due to funding constraints, the project faced many delays even as it was first conceived in 1982.
Responding to the executive council’s approval to the project last month, Nigeria Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola was quoted by Nigeria Today as saying: “Several efforts had been made to bring it to reality but I’m happy to announce that this government approved the contract today to joint ventures of Chinese Civil and Engineering company for the engineering and turn-key contract, including civil and electro-mechanical works for $5.792bn.”