CONGO: Work begins on power generator for Brazzaville

[ This report does not necessarily reflect the views of the United Nations]

BRAZZAVILLE, 4 Aug 2005 (IRIN) - Construction began on Wednesday of a 32.5 megawatt power generator in the Republic of Congo's (ROC) capital, Brazzaville, to alleviate the city’s acute power shortages.

The 12-month project will cost some 21 billion francs CFA (approx US $40 million), the Ministry of Energy and Hydraulics said.

A Belgian company, Anglo Belgian Corporation, is building the generator. The government of Belgium loaned the country one-third of the money, or 6.8 billion francs (Approx $13 million).

Only 49 percent of the country’s urban population and 35 percent of the rural population have access to electricity, according to government figures.

In 2003, the government began building a hydroelectric dam in Imboulou, 215 km north of Brazzaville, the capital. It is to provide 120 megawatts of power but is not expected to go on line until 2008.

[CONGO: Power
shortfall a nightmare for Brazzaville residents]

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