NZEREKORE: Its official!
Thousands jubilated as the Guinean second most populated and the largest city in the forest region, Nzerekore, received the much-awaited stable and affordable electricity from the TRANSCO CLSG power grid. The historic event happened on Saturday, April 2, 2022 when the Guinean Minister of Energy, Hydrocarbons and Hydraulics Abe Sylla switched on the lights at the Nzerekore substation located in the Bellevue district.
The city of Nzérékoré has been plunged in darkness for years but will now have 24-hour electricity from the TRANSCO CLSG grid, the Minister declared during the historic ceremony, which was witnessed by an array of Guinean authorities including the Director General of the ELECTRICITE DE GUINEE (EDG SA), Laye Sékou Camara, TRANSCO CLSG, among others.

With a volume of eleven megawatts (11 MW) per year, the CLSG interconnection line will certainly improve energy demand in the city of N’Zérékoré and its surroundings and thus accelerate the socio-economic development of the region.
In remarks, Minister Sylla informed that public that the Guinean government has completed all commercial framework documents including the Power Purchase Agreement with Cote d’Ivoire and the Transmission Service Agreement with TRANSCO CLSG in order to improve people’s access to the affordable energy in the country’s commercial hub.
Following the cutting of the inaugural ribbon, the Minister of Energy pressed the button to switch on the light, marking history. He reiterated that from now on, the population of Nzérékoré will have power 24 hours a day. Beyond the city of Nzérékoré, several other prefectures and localities will benefit from this interconnection project (CLSG) which will cover the entire Forest and also Upper Guinea.
Minister Sylla added: “I am here today for the inauguration of the Nzérékoré substation, which will supply the city of Nzérékoré with energy 24 hours a day. What does this represent? This represents a beginning of the socio-economic development of this country, namely, this region which is an agricultural region. So having the energy on the whole of Nzérékoré, represents a big step for economic development.”
Photos: Min. Sylla (l) and Mr. Bailly address the media in Nzerekore
He furthered that Nzérékoré is not the only area that will benefit from the CLSG line, but that the government through its national utility, EDG will begin to connect Lola, Yomou, Diécké, Zebela, Beyla and 15 other prefectures and localities. “We don’t stop there. We are in the process of making a line that will be connected to the station and that will also go to Siguiri via Beyla, Kankan, Kerouané, Kouroussa. In addition, we will do the transversal ones that will feed Macenta, Guéckedou, Kissidougou and Faranah.”
Minister Sylla continued: “Let’s put all that aside, let’s look at the whole thing at the national level. We have the CLSG line that will cover the Lower Coast and Middle Guinea and the Conakry-Kankan Ridge which is under construction. All this will be inaugurated one by one. Nzérékoré, you had the honor of being first. And it will continue throughout the country.”
For his part the Director General of Electricité De Guinée (EDG), Camara Laye, congratulated all stakeholders for ensuring a successful energization of the Nzérékoré area. He assured the Guinean public that the power would be extended across the entire Nzérékore region including Lola, Dieke, Yomou and all quarters within this region.
The EDG Boss announced that reforms are underway to make this state-owned enterprise more efficient to meet the ever-growing needs of the population. He informed the people that regularly paying invoices that are now computerized.
“I am very happy to be in Nzérékoré today for this very important event. That is to say, the energizing of the city of Nzérékoré. Today we have big challenges, we have signed commitments with Côte d’Ivoire, especially with TRANSCO CLSG which will transport to us this energy that will be consumed by the Guinean population.”
The Director of the Project of TRANSCO CLSG, Etienne Bailly, on behalf of the General Manager congratulated the Government of the Republic of Guinea on meeting all effective conditions for commercial operations of the CLSG facilities.
He reiterated that the Nzérékore Substation is a strategic infrastructure that will facilitate the interconnection of the Guinea-Mali line and also supply power to the entire Nzérékore Region.