The 140MW Mariguina hydropower station on the Senegal River in Mali is under trial operation, ready to be officially connected to the grid.
Constructed by the 16th Bureau of Hydropower, the large-scale infrastructure construction project is considered a landmark project for Chinese firms operating in West Africa. It is being developed by the Organization for the Development of the Senegal River Basin (OMVS), with China Power Construction as EPC general contracor. Funds for the project include a loan from the Chinese government.
The project features 3x×49MW Kaplan-type hydro-generator units. It is Unit 1 that has been successfully placed into operation, with work continuing on the installation and commissioning of Units 2 and 3.
The construction of the Maliguina hydropower station has helped drive economic development in Mali and surrounding countries, providing more than 1000 local jobs in total. Once fully commissioned, the plant will transmit electricity to Mali, Senegal, Mauritania and West Africa through the regional power grid.
