Press Release

TRANSCO CLSG is holding a three-day workshop with stakeholders, particularly the national utilities, to review the current billing documents to ensure a better understanding by CLSG’s client countries and to obtain a consensual document for a comprehensive billing of energy and transmission services.

The workshop which runs from September 12th to the 14th of September 2023 in Monrovia, Liberia at the Cape Hotel enables an in-depth knowledge of the various supporting documents and the sharing of comments from all actors.

As a result of the rapid increase in the power transit on the national networks of CLSG countries, the multiplication of delivery points, and the activation of new injection points due to successive synchronizations with production centers in Cote d’Ivoire, Liberia, Sierra Leone, and Guinea, the preparation of invoicing documents has become more complex.

The specific objectives of the workshop are to ensure a better understanding of billing data and the related supporting documents; adopt the revised invoicing methodology and subsequent set of supporting documents and adopt any amendments to the PPA and TSA contracts.

SUCCESSFUL SYNCHRONIZATION OF THE WAPP POWER GRID – A DECISIVE STEP TOWARD REGIONAL ELECTRICITY INTEGRATION

The West African Power Pool (WAPP) has recently reached a significant milestone in the realization of its mandate to interconnect the power transmission networks of ECOWAS member states and create a unified regional electricity market.

WAPP is pleased to announce the successful permanent synchronization of the power grids of twelve West African countries: Benin, Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Liberia, Mali, Mauritania, Senegal, Sierra Leone, and Togo.

From now on, the power grids of these countries will operate as a single synchronous network, under the supervision of the WAPP Information and Coordination Centre (ICC) and the national control centers of these countries.

See WAPP Press Release in English and French below:

• Eng-communiqué_synchronisation- zone 2-3
• FR-communiqué_synchronisation- zone 2-3

August 20, 2023: The Director of the Project CLSG, Mr. Etienne Baily recently visited the OMVG-Linsan substation to assess the readiness of the Linsan SS for the interconnection with the CLSG network.

Following his assessment of the facility, Mr. Baily said significant progress has been made and that CLSG line is expected to be energized from Linsan before November 2023. He said this will boost Sierra Leone and Liberia’s capacity to deliver reliable and affordable electricity during the next dry season.

Mr. Baily urged Liberia and Sierra Leone to start negotiation with Guinea to ensure the necessary commercial framework documents including the Power Purchase Agreements (PPA), and the Transmission Service Agreements (TSA) are discussed and signed by all parties.

Related article: TRANSCO CLSG links with OMVG Network to boost its transmission Capacity

Abidjan, Friday, July 28, 2023: The General Manager of TRANSCO CLSG has recognized the significant role of the governments and people of the CLSG countries, his TRANSCO staff, Donors, and other stakeholders for the successful implementation of the landmark CLSG project, which has achieved a 99 percent implementation rate in Liberia, Sierra Leone, and Guinea respectively.

In his official statement delivered at the 31st meeting of the TRANSCO CLSG Board of Directors held on Friday, July 28, 2023, in Abidjan, Mr. Mohammed M. Sherif, extended his profound thanks and appreciation to his invaluable team for their hard work, resilience, commitment, and passion that have made it possible to achieve key deliverables over the years.

“Our success is rooted in our strong willpower and passion for work. I would like to congratulate you on your remarkable achievements in the project implementation and institutional functions. Your attention to detail is your greatest strength and it has once again been proven why you are such an important asset to TRANSCO CLSG,” Mr. Sherif said.

He reiterated his deep gratitude for the Board’s strong and unwavering commitment to delivering affordable and reliable electricity to the people. “Your invaluable contributions to the success of the CLSG Project are a true reflection of determination by the CLSG Governments, national Utilities, the Board, and the CLSG Donors to set up an effective and viable regional electricity market for the present and future generations,” the General Manager added.

The General Manager furthered that over the years, every stakeholder including the Board, the TRANSCO team, and donors, among others, has demonstrated deep interest and commitment to the goal of delivering unimpeded and affordable access to electricity for the populations of our region and has delivered outstanding achievements for the company. “Your continued willingness to collaborate and move the company to successfully achieve its mission deserves recognition and deep appreciation.”

The landmark CLSG interconnection project is in its concluding phase of implementation, Mr. Sherif disclosed, noting that there has significant progress made in construction works by the EPC contractors, with an overall progress rate of 99%. “We have constructed, completed, and energized all the substations in Liberia, the latest being the Botota substation in central Liberia, which was energized in April 2023. In Sierra Leone, we have also constructed and energized four out of five substations, the latest being Yiben; which was energized on July 25, 2023. Arrangements are ongoing to energize the Kamakwei substation in Sierra Leone in September 2023. In Guinea, the Nzerekore substation was energized in February 2023.”

According to the TRANSCO CLSG General Manager, the remaining works are being completed at the Yiben and Kamakwie substations in Sierra Leone as well as the main control SCADA center at the Nzerekore substation in Guinea. He disclosed that the Kamakwie substation is scheduled to be commissioned in September 2023 along with the synchronization of CLSG Grid with OMVG Network.

The TRANSCO CLSG Board meetings are a regular feature during which the Chairman and other distinguished members of the Board meet to deliberate on critical issues and approve pertinent documents to enhance the functions of the company. It is customary at these meetings for the General Manager to deliver a substantive report, which provides updates on the status of the project.

The 31st Board meeting was chaired by its Chairman, Mr. Noumory Sidibe. Other Board members from Liberia, Sierra Leone, and Guinea as well as independent Board members attended the meeting.

All five substations in Liberia have been fully constructed and energized by TRANSCO CLSG. The lastest substation to be added is the Botota Substation. Earlier, the management of TRANSCO CLSG energized the Yekepa, Mount Coffee, Buchanan and Mano substations.

The substations will provide Liberia the opportunity to deliver reliable power supply to communities along the CLSG line and the nearby counties. The Yekepa substation has the capacity to transmit electricity to Nimba, and parts of Bong County, the Buchanan substation will transmit electricity to Grand Bassa, Rivercess, parts of Sinoe, and parts of Margibi counties while the Mount Coffee substation has got the capacity to transmit electricity that can light up the entire Montserrado county.

The Mano substation will transmit electricity to Cape Mount, Gbarpolu, and Bomi counties while the Botota substation will transmit electricity to central, northern, and eastern parts of Liberia. The Botota substation also has the potential to connect with the future St. Paul River hydroelectricity expansion project that is being prepared by the government of Liberia with the support of the World Bank.

The CLSG substation at Botota is situated in the Kokoyah Statutory District, in Bong County. Recently the  LEC Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Hon. Monie Captan described the addition of the Botota SS to the network as a positive step towards improving the lives of those living in the area.

PRESS RELEASE FROM THE LIBERIA ELECTRICITY CORPORATION (LEC)

The connection to the CLSG lines is expected to provide significant benefits to over 100 communities within Nimba, Grand Bassa, Rivercess, and Bong Counties, respectively. However, access to reliable electricity will improve their quality of life by providing them with better lighting, heating, and cooling options. It will also create opportunities for economic growth as businesses can operate more efficiently with a consistent power supply.

Additionally, the connection to the CLSG lines will increase access to education and healthcare services, as these facilities will be able to operate more effectively with reliable electricity.

While visiting the CLSG substation at Botota in Kokoyah Statutory District, in Bong County, the LEC Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Hon. Monie Captan said that overall, the development is a positive step towards improving the lives of those living in the area.

It can be recalled that since taking over the mantle of authority, the operation of LEC by Hon. Captan has been going smoothly to ensure that Liberians have access to stable electricity in and around the country through the partnership of the CLSG agreement.

“As I continue to assess our preparedness for the electrification project, I am confident that we have the necessary resources and expertise to execute this project successfully. Our team has been working tirelessly to ensure that we have a detailed plan in place and are ready to hit the ground running,” he said.

Hon. Monie Captan noted that the use of the shield wire system and conventional MV at 33 kV is a proven technology that has been used successfully in other parts of the world.

He added, “We believe that this system will provide reliable and efficient power to the communities along the CLSG transmission line.”

Hon. Captan also disclosed on his social media handle that the African Development Bank financed the project, which is a testament to its importance and potential impact on the communities they serve. “We are grateful for their support and look forward to working closely with them throughout this project.”

He continued. “Our new LEC is committed to innovation, and this project is just one example of how we are using new technologies and approaches to improve access to electricity in rural areas.”

The LEC Chief Executive Officer also believes that the project will be a game-changer for all Liberians and others.

The LEC CEO was accompanied by CLSG-TRANSCO Country Representative, Mr. Jerry Taylor, and LEC Executive Director for Transmission & Distribution (T&D) Eng. Thomas Gonkarwon.

Dakar, Senegal, May 21, 2023: TRANSCO CLSG has been holding high-level coordination meetings with the authorities of the Organization for the Development of the Gambia River (OMVG) to synchronize the landmark CLSG network with the OMVG network to boost the transmission capacity of the CLSG line. The coordination meeting was held in Dakar, Senegal where the OMVG is headquartered.

The TRANSCO CLSG delegation was headed by the Director of the Project Implementation Unit, Etienne Baily. With him were TRANSCO’s Engineering Coordinator, Erik Achi, and the Procurement and Contract Management Specialist, Mohamed Keita. TRACTEBEL-ENGIE the Owner’s Engineer for TRANSCO CLSG and AECOM the Owner’s Engineer for OMVG are participated in the Meeting. The OMVG was represented by its General Secretary, Dauda Samble Sow.

According to a dispatch from Dakar, the coordination meetings yielded a positive outcome as there is an agreement to interconnect the two networks thus boosting the CLSG network in the transmission of abundant electricity across the countries. The two organizations are proud of the progress made in their respective projects – 99% of completion for CLSG and 97% for OMVG.

The synchronization activities between the CLSG and OMVG networks is expected to be launched in July 2023 and considering the strong actions undertaken by both parties, OMVG will make funds availability to the EPC contractors of OMVG and TRANSCO CLSG to expedite the completion of the two remaining substations including Kamakwie and Yiben in Sierra Leone. The respective Owner’s Engineers have been instructed to conduct close follow-ups and monitoring of the works. Necessary Committees will be put in place to prepare and organize the synchronization process.

TRANSCO CLSG and OMVG aim to boost the electricity market by sharing hydroelectric resources in the sub-region and integrating means of production and transmission of electrical energy across the region.

Following the synchronization process, Guinea which has excess hydropower in stock, will make the extra electricity supply available to the CLSG network, thereby sparking major economic activities across the lines. The meetings concurred that commercial framework discussions will be initiated in June 2023 among the four utilities which are expected to deliberate and conclude all the Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) and Transmission Service Agreements (TSAs).

Like the CLSG Project, the OMVG Energy Project involves four countries including The Gambia, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, and Senegal. This sub-regional organization is the executing agency for integrated development programs in the region and is focused on the rational management of common resources of the Gambia, Kayanga-Géba, and Koliba-Corubal Rivers. These river basins provide an opportunity for power production. The OMVG is being financed by member countries with international assistance, particularly from the African Development Bank (AfDB).

The General Manager of TRANSCO CLSG, Mohammed M. Sherif on Tuesday, March 7, 2023, paid a courtesy call on the new Minister of Finance of Sierra Leone, Hon. Sheku Ahmed Fantamadi Bangura in Freetown. During their interaction, Mr. Sherif congratulated the Minister for his preferment and briefed him on the status of the CLSG project implementation. The meeting was very productive as the new Finance Minister assured the visiting TRANSCO CLSG General Manager of his government’s strong support for the project.

Mr. Sherif hailed the government and the people of Sierra Leone for their relentless support to the CLSG project. He assured Minister Bangura of TRANSCO’s preparedness to guarantee people’s access to reliable and affordable electricity through the CLSG line.

In response, the new Minister of Finance, who brings 30 years of experience on economic and development management issues at national, regional, and international institutional levels, praised the Management of TRANSCO CLSG for a brilliant job at delivering the CLSG project which is now providing electricity relief to his country. Minister Bangura said he was impressed by what TRANSCO CLSG has achieved already and promised to work with Mr. Sherif and his team to ensure the sustainability of the project.

Minister Bangura expressed the government’s unwavering support for the CLSG project, adding that the position of President Julius Maada Bio’s government towards the CLSG project has not changed. He assured TRANSCO CLSG that everything would be done to ensure the sustainability of the project.

The young Minister, who assumes the driving seat of the Government’s financial and economic strategy promised to work with the TRANSCO CLSG management to make sure Sierra Leone enjoys unimpeded flow of electricity through the CLSG grid.

The TRANSCO CLSG General Manager also held fruitful discussions with the Minister of Energy of Sierra Leone, Alhaji Kanja Sesay, and the Director General of EDSA, Hon. Abu Kamara.

LB_REOI-Audit of the ESMP – CLSG_Project – 16.03.23  (Liberia)

GN _AMI-Audit of the ESMP – CLSG_Project – 16.03.23 (Guinea)

CDI _AMI-Audit of the ESMP – CLSG_Project – 16.03.23 (Cote d’Ivoire)

SL_REOI-Audit of the ESMP – CLSG_Project – 16.03.23 (Sierra Leone)

TRANSCO CLSG, in collaboration with the Guinean electricity utility, EDG, and other stakeholders has successfully energized the 225 kV Nzerekore Substation and restored electricity to the commercial city. This has created the avenue to expand the Guinean distribution network to other parts of the forest Region such as Lola, Yomou, etc. The Nzerekore Substation has a 40 MVA capacity and a 5 MVar Reactor.

Related article: TRANSCO CLSG commissions Nzerekore Substation soon

On April 2, 2022, a power supply to Nzerekore was launched through the CLSG Network energized at 33 kV level from Yekepa Substation in Liberia, but the energization of the Nzerekore substation allows the Forest Region to be supplied affordable and reliable power directly from the substation.

Mr. Laye Sekou Camara, Director General of Electricite De Guinee (EDG) visited the Nzerekore Substation during the weekend and expressed his gratitude to the teams for their collaboration in meeting the deadline to restore power to the Region of Nzerekore. He encouraged continuous collaboration amongst the different stakeholders in the development of the electricity network in the region.

The TRANSCO CLSG 225kv transmission line into Nzerekore is engineered to meet the needs of the city’s industrial, commercial, and residential sectors and neighboring cities.