Algerian Radio
A technical team from the Sonelgaz Group arrived today, Friday, in the Nigerien capital, Niamey, to begin the field assessments for the power plant project for the benefit of the Nigerien Electricity Company (Nigelec). This was announced in a statement issued by the public group.
The technical team will initiate a series of field studies to assess the site readiness, including inspecting the existing infrastructure, studying grid connection requirements, and verifying the site's compliance with approved technical standards. This serves as a prerequisite for launching construction within the set deadlines and in accordance with the highest quality standards, the statement added.
The delegation's mission also includes conducting a comprehensive diagnostic of needs regarding electrical and gas equipment. This falls within an integrated approach aimed at supporting Nigelec in establishing a central warehouse for materials and equipment, dedicated to supporting projects for the construction and expansion of high, medium, and low-voltage electricity networks.
The Group explained in its statement that this mission is a tangible implementation of the outcomes of the coordination meeting held on February 18 via videoconferencing between Sonelgaz officials and their counterparts from Nigelec. During that meeting, it was agreed to "accelerate the pace of work and finalize the technical and organizational aspects of the project, ensuring the actual commencement of works at the earliest possible date".
According to the same source, the project consists of constructing a power plant in the Gorou Banda area of the capital, Niamey, by installing two gas turbines with a capacity of 20 MW each. This will bolster production capabilities, support the stability of the national electricity grid in Niger, and contribute to improving service quality while meeting the increasing demand for energy.
This project represents a new step in the "strategic" partnership between Sonelgaz and Nigelec, which "is not limited to building additional production capacities but extends to accompanying the development of transmission and distribution networks, transferring expertise, and providing training and capacity-building programs in the fields of electricity production, transmission, distribution, and engineering—whether through field presence or remote training mechanisms," according to the statement.
