Communiqué de presse

Abidjan, CI, October 15, 2026: TRANSCO CLSG General Manager Etienne Bailly has launched a participatory process to prepare the organization’s 2027 budget and guide planning for the remaining four years of its current five-year business plan.

Opening the two-day session on Thursday, Mr. Bailly called on staff to share ideas, offer recommendations and commit to actions that will strengthen the organization’s financial and operational performance. He said the overriding goal is to achieve financial viability while ensuring high asset availability, emphasizing that the network’s assets are central to TRANSCO CLSG’s mandate.

Mr. Bailly acknowledged the organization’s financial, developmental and operational challenges, including the lasting effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. He urged staff to assess TRANSCO CLSG’s current business position, identify emerging opportunities and risks, and set clear priorities for the years ahead.

Key priorities include controlling costs, reducing expenditure, strengthening internal systems and network maintenance, investing in assets, and adopting a clear operations and maintenance strategy. Mr. Bailly stressed that achieving these objectives will also require staff commitment, improved work practices and changes in workplace behavior.

Mr. Bailly appointed Josephus Yilla, Director of Finance and Administration, to lead the workshop. He said management, supported by external consultants, is developing the business plan and will propose practical measures to move TRANSCO CLSG toward financial equilibrium and stronger operational performance.

The workshop concludes on Friday, October 16, 2026.

Abidjan, 05/10/26: TRANSCO CLSG General Manager M. Etienne Bailly led a high-level delegation to the Republic of Guinea for strategic discussions with senior officials from Electricité de Guinée (EDG), the ministries responsible for Energy, Telecommunications, and Urbanism and Land, as well as the Civil Aviation Authority.

During talks with the ministry responsible for Telecommunications, TRANSCO CLSG expressed appreciation for the ministry’s support in commercializing the excess capacity of the CLSG OPGW and for appointing representatives to the consortium currently being established.

Discussions with the Ministry of Urbanism and Land focused on completing the demarcation of the transmission line corridor and securing the related title deeds in Guinea, in accordance with Article 6.2 of the CLSG Treaty, which was signed by the four Heads of State and ratified by their respective parliaments.

In discussions with the Civil Aviation Authority, TRANSCO CLSG expressed its appreciation for the Authority’s continued support, particularly in facilitating the authorizations required for aerial flyovers conducted as part of the operation and maintenance of the CLSG transmission line.

The delegation included Josephus J. Yilla, Director of Finance and Administration; Erick Achi, Acting Technical Director and Head of Projects and Technical Services (HoPTS); Mohamed Keita, Senior Procurement Specialist and Contract Manager, and Dr. Abdoulaye Keita, TRANSCO CLSG Country Manager in Guinea.

More pictures from the visit

The TRANSCO CLSG delegation toured the Guinea Power Access Improvement Project (PAAEG), a government initiative aimed at achieving universal electricity access by 2030. The project seeks to expand energy infrastructure in underserved areas and strengthen institutions within the electricity subsector. The delegation also visited the Guinea–Mali Electricity Interconnection Project.

The grids are synchronised, all fourteen continental countries are connected and two national utilities have already moved into surplus by buying across a border. What has not been tested is whether a market with no new generation behind it can keep clearing.

The West African Power Pool and the ECOWAS Regional Electricity Regulatory Authority now run the interconnected grids in synchronous operation and have expanded trade between them. January will be the market’s first full trading year.

The physical network is finished. All fourteen continental West African countries have been joined in a single grid since late 2023. The Gambia River Basin Development Organisation interconnection runs 1,677km of 225kV line with 800MW of transfer capacity across Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Senegal and The Gambia, at around 880 million euros. A 1,303km line joins Côte d’Ivoire, Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea, and a 228km line connects Kayes in Mali to Tambacounda.

The financial results are already visible on national balance sheets. The Gambia’s NAWEC has returned to profitability on cost savings of around 42 per cent achieved by drawing Guinean hydropower across the loop rather than burning imported fuel. Guinea-Bissau’s EAGB has moved from a monthly deficit of roughly one million dollars to a positive balance. Guinea exports 1,174 GWh a year from the Kaleta and Souapiti plants.

Every one of those gains is a trading gain rather than a generation gain. The same hydropower is being shared more efficiently across more borders, which is what an interconnector is for and also what it runs out of.

Generation is the next constraint and it is thinner than the transmission. The Sambangalou hydroelectric scheme in Senegal is planned at 128MW and expected to produce 402 GWh a year into the same loop. Against a network now serving several national systems, that is one project.

A market clears on the difference between what a seller has spare and what a buyer needs. Both sides of that equation change when a dry season reduces hydro output across a basin that four countries now draw from at once, and the traded volumes of 2026 have not yet met a bad year.

Ministers, regulators and financiers meet in Accra in January for the West Africa Energy Cooperation Summit, with a functioning market to discuss for the first time and the question of what fills it after Sambangalou.

Culled from the Energy News Network (August 24, 2026)

The General Manager of TRANSCO CLSG, Mr. Etienne Bailly, participated in the prestigious CIGRE Session 2026, held from 23 to 28 August 2026 at the Palais des Congrès in Paris, France. The event brought together global leaders, experts, engineers, and decision-makers to discuss the future of power systems, grid modernization, and the energy transition.

Representing TRANSCO CLSG, Mr. Bailly showcased the company’s achievements, challenges, and ongoing efforts to strengthen regional transmission infrastructure across the Mano River Union countries. He emphasized the critical role of the TRANSCO CLSG in enhancing regional energy security, expanding electricity access, and supporting sustainable economic growth in West Africa.

During the session, Mr. Bailly engaged with industry experts, utility executives, policymakers, researchers, representatives of the West African Power Pool (WAPP), and technology providers from around the world. These exchanges provided valuable opportunities to share experiences, explore innovative technologies, strengthen strategic partnerships, and identify best practices that can further support the development and modernization of regional electricity networks.

Widely regarded as the world’s leading event for power systems and energy transition, the CIGRE Session serves as a premier platform for technical dialogue, innovation, and international collaboration. The 2026 edition attracted approximately 9,000 participants from more than 100 countries and featured over 800 technical papers, study committee meetings, workshops, panel discussions, and technical exhibitions covering the entire electricity value chain.

As the global energy sector continues to evolve, TRANSCO CLSG’s participation in CIGRE Session 2026 reflects the company’s commitment to embracing international best practices, promoting regional integration, and contributing to the development of reliable, resilient, and sustainable power systems across West Africa.

Through its active engagement at the event, TRANSCO CLSG reaffirmed its dedication to advancing regional cooperation and supporting efforts to deliver lasting social and economic benefits to the people of Côte d’Ivoire, Liberia, Sierra Leone, and Guinea.

Abidjan, July 8, 2026: TRANSCO CLSG is entering a new phase of growth and transformation under the leadership of its new General Manager, Mr. Ettienne Bailly. Building on the successful completion and operation of the CLSG Interconnection Project, the company is pursuing a strategic agenda focused on operational excellence, financial sustainability, organizational strengthening, and regional energy integration.

As General Manager, Mr. Bailly has extensive experience in regional power infrastructure development and technical leadership. Having previously served as Director of the Technical Department and as the inaugural Director of the Project Implementation Unit, he played a key role in the successful delivery of the CLSG interconnection network and the advancement of regional electricity cooperation.

The company’s strategic focus will be guided by six key priorities:

Strengthening Financial Sustainability

TRANSCO CLSG is committed to improving the long-term financial viability of the company by increasing utilization of the transmission network, strengthening revenue generation, improving collections, and addressing existing financial challenges identified by management and the Board of Directors.

Delivering a New Corporate Business Plan

Following a directive from the Board of Directors, management has commenced preparation of a new Business Plan covering the period 2027–2031. The plan will address evolving energy market dynamics, emerging opportunities, and the future role of the CLSG network in supporting regional electricity trade.

Advancing the CLSG Second Circuit Project (CLSG 2)

To meet future demand and enhance network resilience, TRANSCO CLSG has launched preparatory activities for the CLSG Second Circuit Project. Management is actively engaging development partners and financing institutions to support the technical, environmental, social, and commercial studies required to advance the project.

Achieving Operational Excellence

The company will continue to optimize network performance through enhanced system monitoring, improved maintenance practices, and strengthened operational reliability across the CLSG transmission corridor.

Building Internal Capacity

A major priority is the development of in-house technical and managerial capabilities to support the progressive internalization of Operations and Maintenance responsibilities and strengthen institutional sustainability.

Deepening Regional Partnerships

TRANSCO CLSG remains committed to working closely with member states, national utilities, regulators, development partners, and regional institutions to promote greater electricity trade, energy security, and economic development across West Africa.

Through this renewed strategic direction, TRANSCO CLSG aims to strengthen its position as a critical backbone of regional power exchange and a catalyst for economic growth and energy integration across Côte d’Ivoire, Liberia, Sierra Leone, and Guinea.

About TRANSCO CLSG

TRANSCO CLSG is the special-purpose regional transmission company responsible for owning and operating the Côte d’Ivoire–Liberia–Sierra Leone–Guinea (CLSG) Interconnection Project. Its mission is to provide reliable and efficient transmission services that facilitate regional electricity trade and contribute to sustainable economic development in West Africa.

For Media Inquiries, please contact: 

Sidiki Trawally
Communications Officer
TRANSCO CLSG
Email: strawally@transcoclsg.org

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Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire – Nous avons le plaisir d'annoncer la nomination de M. Etienne Bailly en tant que nouveau Directeur Général de TRANSCO CLSG, à la suite d'une passation de pouvoir réussie le 15 juin 2026.

Fort d'une vaste expérience dans les infrastructures énergétiques régionales et d'un parcours avéré au sein du projet CLSG, M. Bailly conduira l'entreprise vers sa prochaine phase — axée sur l'excellence opérationnelle, le renforcement des partenariats et l'intégration énergétique régionale.

Cliquez pour tout voir sur le Directeur Général

FRENCH VERSION -_REOI-Recruitment of Head of O&M

ENGLISH VERSION – _REOI-Recruitment of Head of O&M

The Country Manager of TRANSCO CLSG in Liberia sees the recent consultative workshop for the Integrated Power System Development Masterplan as a crucial opportunity to connect Liberia’s national goals with regional objectives, positioning the TRANSCO CLSG line as the cornerstone of the country’s power system.

Speaking at the workshop on April 1, 2026, in Monrovia, Mr. Jerry T. Taylor emphasized that resilience in the electricity sector depends on strong interconnections. He explained, “When we enhance cross-border power sharing, we reduce risks, make better use of resources, and safeguard against local outages.”

Mr. Taylor stressed the importance of designing a comprehensive masterplan that is meticulous, data-driven, and flexible enough to adapt to both current demands and future uncertainties. He noted, “Our generation, transmission, and distribution networks must be sturdy and efficient, capable of handling climate, technical, or economic challenges.”

He also highlighted that the workshop provided an opportunity for energy sector participants to align Liberia’s priorities with broader regional goals, making the CLSG line central to Liberia’s power grid. Sustainability, he pointed out, depends on incorporating diverse energy sources, cleaner technologies, advanced conductors, and practices that protect both infrastructure and the environment.

Mr. Taylor remarked, “Success requires not only robust infrastructure and sound policies, but also collaboration among institutions, political commitment, effective regulations, and strategic investments.” He acknowledged the leadership of the Liberia Electricity Corporation (LEC) for organizing this timely discussion on “Integrated Power System Development Masterplan for Liberia: Resilience and Sustainability in the Electricity Sector; A Strategic Path Forward.”

He agreed that as energy demands evolve due to climate concerns and the pursuit of sustainable solutions, workshops like these are essential.

Representing the acting General Manager and TRANSCO CLSG’s management, Mr. Taylor reaffirmed the regional company’s commitment to supporting Liberia’s energy development. He stated that the CLSG infrastructure promotes more than just transmission line; it enhances economic integration, energy security, and resilience for the nation. “As a result of a Master Plan, the CLSG system is one of five priority projects in the WAPP Master Plan and aligns with Liberia’s own electricity Master Plan.”

Finally, he called on the Liberia Electricity Corporation and other stakeholders to work together to build an electricity sector that is resilient, sustainable for future generations, and inclusive of all Liberians. “TRANSCO CLSG is eager to collaborate with the Government of Liberia, the Electricity Corporation, and every stakeholder to achieve these shared goals.”

For media inquiries, please contact:
Sidiki Trawally
Communications Officer
TRANSCO CLSG
Email: strawally@transcoclsg.org

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