Platinum Power to build 400 MW hydroelectric power plant in Cameroon

(Agence Ecofin) - The Cameroonian government and the Moroccan company Platinum Power entered into a framework-agreement on 1st July 2015 in Yaoundé for the development, funding, construction and operation of the Makay hydroelectric complex, as well as the associated electricity transfer facilities. The agreement, signed by Omar Belmamoun, Platinum Power's CEO and Basile Atangana Kouna, Cameroonian minister for energy and water.

The Makay hydroelectric power plant, located in the Central region of Cameroon, specifically in the Nyong-Ekellé department, will have a production capacity of 400MW. This power plant, which cost remains undisclosed, will be in operation by end 2020, according to official forecasts.

This new plant, which will help increase the electrical capacity of the country by 30% (1200MW), according to Platinum Power will generate "over 1600GWh/year, which will translate into access to electricity for an additional 6million individuals".

Incorporated in Morocco and with its shareholding held by the American investment fund Brookstone Partners based in New York, Platinum Power has representations in Morocco, Ivory Coast, Cameroon and Senegal with, we learn, "hydroelectric, wind and solar power of about 1000MW in the pipeline".