A Chinese-built dam in Cote d’Ivoire has entered its final stage of construction before it commences electricity generation later in the year.
The Soubre hydroelectric dam, the largest of its kind in Cote d’Ivoire, is being constructed by PowerChina, and is expected to boost energy production in the West African country.
The dam is in the process of “impoundment” – a technical operation of gradually closing the floodgates’ valves – so as to allow water levels to rise, explained Ballet Maxime, head of mission of Cote d’Ivoire’s CI-Energies.
The assistant to the Soubre project manager of PowerChina, Zhang Long, said the operation is scheduled to take a 23-day run, after which a test of generators will be conducted before the dam will officially start generating electricity.
“Today’s impoundment means the beginning of the countdown to the production of electricity through the dam,” Zhang said.
The project was launched on February 25, 2013, with financial support from the Chinese government in collaboration with the Chinese Import-Export Bank.
The project was conducted at a cost of about $571 million. China financed 85 percent of this cost.
