MEWR /Joule - Bumbuna Hydroelectric Power Plant Phase II 143 MW - Sierra Leone - Project Profile

Synopsis
"MEWR /Joule - Bumbuna Hydroelectric Power Plant Phase II 143 MW - Sierra Leone - Project Profile" contains information on the scope of the project including project overview and location. The profile also details project ownership and funding, gives a full project description, as well as information on contracts, tendering and key project contacts.

The "MEWR /Joule - Bumbuna Hydroelectric Power Plant Phase II 143 MW - Sierra Leone - Project Profile" is part of Timetric's database of 82,000+ construction projects. Our database includes a 10+ year archive of completed projects, full coverage of all global projects with a value greater than $25 million and key contact details for project managers, owners, consultants, contractors and bidders.
Scope
The project involves the construction of a 143MW hydroelectric power plant on Seli River in Bumbuna town, Sierra Leone.

The US$950 million project includes the following:

1. Construction of a new 86m high, 660m crest length RCC dam
2. Construction of a reservoir
3. Construction of a 1.7 km tailrace canal
4. Construction of a 2.5km headrace tunnel and penstock
5. Construction of a 126m gross head
6. Construction of two substations
7. Installation of 6x33MW Francis turbine units
8. Upgrade of Bumbuna-Freetown power line
9. Upgrade of interconnection to the CLSG interconnector and local transmission lines
Summary
The Sierra Leone Ministry of Energy & Water Resources (MEWR) and Joule Africa are planning to undertake the second phase of Bumbuna Hydroelectric Power Plant on Seli River in Sierra Leone.

The project involves the construction of a 143MW hydroelectric power plant.

The hydropower potential available at the existing Bumbuna Dam is to be utilized by the Bumbuna Extension, in which water is diverted water from the existing reservoir to a powerhouse located in the neighboring valley, bypassing the Bumbuna Falls. Due to the limited storage capacity of the existing reservoir, a new RCC dam, 32km further upstream at the Yiben site will be constructed.

The Bumbuna Extension includes the construction of a 126m gross head, a 2.5km headrace tunnel and penstock, a 1.7 km tailrace canal with installed capacity of 4x33 MW Francis turbine units, the upgrade of the Bumbuna-Freetown power line and the interconnection to the CLSG interconnector and local transmission lines.

The Yiben site features the construction of an 86m high, 660m crest length RCC dam with installed capacity of 2x33MW Francis turbine units.

HFV, WorleyParsons and Techsult Consulting Engineers have been appointed as technical advisers and Fugro as geo-technical consultant for the project.

In May 2011, MEWR signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Joule Africa, a newly-formed member of the Joule Investments Group. Under the agreement, Joule Africa will develop and operate the project.

In June 2011, Lahmeyer International in association with CEMMATS Group Ltd was appointed as to undertake the feasibility study. The scope of work includes a full environmental and social impact study of the proposed dam site, hydrological studies, a topographical survey, geotechnical studies and design work.

On November 18, 2013, Endeavor Energy and Joule Africa signed a joint development agreement (JDA) to help add 200MW to the existing 50MW at the Bumbuna Hydro Power Plant. As part of the JDA, Endeavor Energy has agreed to fund the remaining development costs for the project and expects to invest up to 75% of the project’s equity at financial close.

Joule Africa completed the feasibility study while Environmental Resources Management has undertaken the environmental and social studies.

In February 2014, Salini Impregilo and Sinohydro expressed interest to bid for EPC contract.

In June 2016, the tender process was withdrawn following the completion of a successful value engineering exercise to significantly reduce the cost of the project by adjusting the installed capacity to 140MW through a number of design modifications, and a new process (open international tender with pre-qualification) is launched.

On June 23, 2016, Joule Africa issued Request for qualification (RFQ) for the EPC contractor with July 29, 2016 as the submission deadline.

The Project is receiving US$75 million funding from African Infrastructure Investment Managers (Pty) Ltd and debts fund of US$730 million from European Investment Bank (EIB), International Financial Corporation (IFC), Islamic Development Bank, CDC, Green Africa Power (GAP).

Four consortia pre-qualified for the project are AG/DAWNUS from Brazil, Joint-Venture Hydrochina and Sinohydro from China, SALINI and Impregilio from Italy and CMC/Yuksel from South Africa.

However, three consortia namely Salini Impregilo and Voith; CMC/Yuksel joint venture (JV) with GE; and Hydrochina and Sinohydro JV were keen to submit bids for the project.

In October 2016, Joule Africa issued tender notification to the pre-qualified bidders with technical bids submission deadline on March 31, 2017 and financial bid submission deadline on May 12, 2017.

Joule Africa is in the process of appointing the contractor. Simultaneously, fund raising activities are on-going. Construction is expected to commence in the fourth quarter of 2017 with completion scheduled in the fourth quarter of 2021.
Reasons To Buy
• Gain insight into the project.

• Monitor the latest project developments.

• Identify key project contacts.
Key highlights