Lom-Pangar dam construction; 82% complete

The World Bank, after assessing the state of progress of the Lom-Pangar dam construction, has stated that it was optimistic about the partial impounding of the reservoir with respect to the date in September.

A team of experts from the World Bank, in charge of monitoring the Lom-Pangar dam (East), conducted the tour on the site on July 17.

At the end of this visit, the experts and top management of Electricity development corporation (EDC) estimated more than 82% completion of the work.

Thus, in the second half of July, all components of the project are evolving at a more satisfactory speed in the various sections of the central work (retaining walls, temporary diversion, and evacuation of flood, taken industrial and works of refund).

Conventional concrete vibrated (Bcv) has also intensified work on Coast 670 diversion which is essential for implementing a partial water tank scheduled for next September.

Also ongoing works on the banks on both sides of the dykes is progressing remarkably. Hydro-electro-mechanic equipment, weighing 1500 tonnes, are being assembled and setup by the experts from the China International Water and Electricity Corporation (Cwe).

With regard to the work of restitution, the shields have already been installed, while assembled valves segments and parts of cofferdams valves and cylinders are being installed.

Regarding the industrial water supply, assembled parts of grids, cofferdams are being installed also. As the work of temporary diversion continues, fixed parts of cofferdams are installed and more is expected after the installation of the rails for handling trolley.

High voltage

It was informed by EDC officials that the suction cups, upstream cofferdam, hydraulic power plants, electric cables and control cabinets are in transit.

Furthermore, series of drainage, pumping equipment, piping discharge, electrical cables, the power of command and many other gallery lighting equipment are expected on the project site in the next few days.

According to the general manager of EDC, Théodore Nsangou, the supervisor of the construction of the plant of 30 megawatts of electricity has already been recruited. The choice of the contractor to ensure the construction will be done shortly.

"At the same time, the preparatory work for the construction of the high voltage of Lom-Pangar-Bertoua started with the assessment and evaluation commission which is at work on the ground", indicated cell communication of EDC, which announced the beginning of the construction of this plant for the third quarter of 2016 (the project will be completed in 2018).

This component will be financed by the African Development Bank (ADB) and the development of the States of Central Africa banks.

In the environmental aspects of the project, work on the removal of biomass have started and should be completed by August 20.

As a reminder, the Lom-Pangar hydroelectric project aims at increasing the electricity production capacity and the reduction in seasonal fluctuations of flow of the Sanaga River, as well as the improvement of access to electricity in Cameroon.

With a useful capacity of 6 billion m3 of water retention, it is the largest dam-reservoir ever constructed in Cameroon. Its commissioning will help regulate the flow of the Sanaga River from 640 to close to 1040 m3/s, so as to saturate the flow of works of electricity generation on the river.