The Côte d’Ivoire, Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea (CLSG) electricity networks interconnection project will electrify more villages and towns under its rural electrification program.
The CLSG project involves the construction of a 1,300km long double circuit high voltage (225 kV) line to connect the national networks of the four countries. The construction of this line is part of the backbone of the Mano River Union countries and the priority projects of the West African Power Pool (WAPP) Master Plan.
The project will help establish a dynamic electric power market in the West African sub-region and secure power supply for participating countries which have a comparative advantage in importing Power rather than producing it at high costs using their national systems.
The direct beneficiaries of the project are the residents of its impact (24 million inhabitants) who will have reliable electric power at competitive cost. The project will raise the average electricity access rate in the four countries from 28 % in 2012 to 33% by 2017.
The increased electricity access will generally contribute to improving the welfare of the beneficiaries and lead to the development of social and income generating activities.
More particularly, the project will electrify about 115 communities located along the power line and supply electric power to schools, health centers, and thousands of small handicrafts, commercial and industrial businesses, 25% of which are operated by women.
These achievements will help improve the performance of schools and health’s services, as well as increase the incomes of the people. The project will have direct spin-offs on national power corporations whose financial situation will improve because of the savings on production costs and the increased income generated by exporting countries.