Nachtigal Hydroelectric Power Station

Overview

The design calls for a gravity dam with a power potential of 420 megawatts, powered by seven turbines, each with a capacity of 60 megawatts. The roller-compacted concrete (RCC) dam will create a reservoir with a surface area of 4.21 square kilometres (1,040 acres), capable of storing 2.78 million m³ of water.

As part of this project, NHPC the concessionaire, will construct a double circuit 225 kilovolt high voltage transmission line measuring 50.3 kilometres (31 mi) in length, that will transmit the generated power to a substation where it will be integrated into the national electricity grid. Once the high voltage transmission line is constructed and operational, ownership, operation and maintenance will transfer to National Electricity Transmission Company (Sonatrel).

Ownership

The power station is owned by the special purpose company named Nachtigal Hydro Power Company (NHPC). The table below illustrates the shareholding in NHPC. In 2019, two more shareholders joined the original three. Africa50, a subsidiary of the African Development Bank, took a 15 percent shareholding in NHPC. Stoa Infra & Energy from France also acquired a 10 percent shareholding in the project.

Construction costs

The estimated costs for the dam and power plant was €1.2 billion in 2018. Approximately €300 million (25 percent) was raised internally by the NHPC consortium as equity investment. The remaining amount, about €900 million, was borrowed from the eleven international financiers and four Cameroonian banks. Some of the lenders to this project include the following:

• African Development Bank
• Africa Finance Corporation
• French Development Agency
• Proparco
• International Finance Corporation
• Societe Generale des Banques au Cameroun
• Standard Chartered Cameroon
• Emerging Africa Infrastructure Fund
• FMO (Netherlands)
• European Investment Bank

Timeline and commissioning

In December 2021, Afrik21 reported that the first 60 megawatt turbine was expected to be commissioned in July 2023. The final and seventh of equally rated turbines is expected to come online in July 2024.

On 10 May 2024, the first turbine started supplying 60 MW to the grid. The remaining six turbines are expected to come online at a rate of approximately one per month until the seventh turbine scheduled for activation in December 2024. The last turbine was brought online on 18 March 2025.