Despite ongoing power outages, Guinea cancels plans for a previously announced floating thermal power plant to address electricity supply issues.
Guinea has experienced a resurgence of power outages. Already impacted by a shortage of fuel oil following the explosion at the main hydrocarbon depot in December, the country is facing challenges with its energy supply facilities and equipment. Over the weekend, around forty neighborhoods in Conakry were plunged into darkness after a fire at the capital’s power plant and the rupture of a high-voltage cable, as explained by the state-owned Electricité de Guinée (EDG).
During a visit to the Tombo power plant in Conakry last Friday, Energy Minister Aboubacar Camara attributed some of the current power outages to the insufficient water levels stored by the country’s hydroelectric dams, while emphasizing the importance of accountability in case of malfunctions.
Ironically, the following day, a group at the Kaloum 5 power plant caught fire in the evening, and a high-voltage cable was ruptured in Sanoyah, near Conakry, resulting in around forty neighborhoods in the capital being deprived of electricity, according to EDG.
These issues have brought back discussions regarding the floating thermal power plant, installed on a ship, which was announced by Prime Minister Bah Oury a month ago. However, a source within the Ministry of Energy reveals that it is no longer on the agenda due to its high cost. The government prefers to rely on its neighbors, including Senegal and Ivory Coast.
According to the same source, Abidjan already provides 7 megawatts to Guinea and could soon increase it to 25 megawatts.