In the context of the implementation of its electric power development programme, a team of experts from The Gambia River Basin Development Organisation (OMVG) member countries, in collaboration with officials of The Department of State for Energy and NAWEC, on Wednesday went on a field trip to two proposed OMVG sub-stations in Western Region.

The experts include Ibrahima Dabo from Senegal, Martinho Nassambis of Guinea Amadou Camara of Guinea Conakry environment expert and Momodou Sellou Jallow focal point OMVG The Gambia,from the Department of Water Resources.

The expert's visit was meant to update the mission on the progress of the review of the Tender Documents and to upkeep the regular contacts with OMVG's Focal Point in The Gambia, the Ministry of Fisheries and Water Resources.

The mission also went on a field visit to the OMVG Brikama on 6th May 2008 which was rounded up with the visitation of the future site of the extended Brikama Power Station Complex and a courtesy call on to the Governor of Western Region in Brikama.

The OMVG project  will  installation  two hydroelectric power generating stations, one in Sambangalou in Senegal with an installed capacity of 128 MW, and the other in Kaleta in Guinea, with an installed capacity of 240 MW, as well as the construction of an interconnection between the electrical networks of the four countries of the OMVG, consisting of 1677 km of power transmission line in 225 kV, and 15 transforming sub-stations. The Sambangalou yearly energy is valued  at 400 GWh/year and the one produced by Kaleta at 1000 GWh/ year.

The main purpose for the project is to provide a renewable energy and at a low cost to four countries of West Africa, thus improving the well-being of the local populations and encouraging the economic development of this region of the world. This project will also permit to reduce substantially the consumption of oil required by the thermal power generating stations, thus preserving the environment and reducing, at the same time, the ever increasing cost of thermal.

In The Gambia four, OMVG components

such as:

. Soma-Brikama 225 kV Double Circuit Overhead Transmission Line with a total length of some 154 km; Lot 7

. Tanaf  - Soma 225 kV Single Circuit Overhead Transmission Line with a total length of some 96 km whereas some 6 km are on Gambian Territory, Lot 6

. Soma - Kaolack 225 kV Single circuit Overhead Transmission Line with a total length of some 24 km whereas some xx km are on Gambian Territory, Lot 6

. Brikama and Soma Substation, 225/(90)/30 kV, lot P2 will implement.

The Project Energy of the OMVG will observe highest standards of the environmental and social requirements and mitigate where necessary.

The commencement of the project is scheduled to take place with the tendering of the starting works at the two Hydropower station scheduled for the end of 2008.

During the field visit it became clear the current site location for the Brikama Substation will most probably be shifted into the vicinity of the exiting Brikama Power Station operated by GEG. There is sufficient space to further develop Brikama into a power generation center and to establish an interconnection with the GBA network and the supplies coming then from the OMVG system.

It shall be recalled that the Brikama substation is essentially a distribution substation antenna fed from the Soma substation. The supply at 225 kV is provided by a double circuit line of a length of about 154 km. It is to be noted however, that the two circuits will never be operated in parallel. Only one circuit is used, whereas the other is in reserve in case of a failure or a mechanical breakdown on the circuit in use. This substation includes mainly:

a) High voltage section

. Two 225 /(90)/30 kV power transformers, of a capacity of 75 MVA each for the distribution;

. Two 225 kV outgoing lines allowing to provide a redundancy of the radial supply;

. One simple set of 225 kV bars;

. Two 225 kV-30 kV transformer bays in reserve and non-equipped.

b) Medium voltage section

. Two incoming circuit breakers, 30 kV;

. One tie breaker, 30 kV;

. Two 30 kV bars (of which one must accept a second tie breaker);

. Six outgoing circuit breakers, 30 kV;
. Two outgoing fused isolating switches for the auxiliary services transformers;

. Two auxiliary services transformers each rated 200 kVA.

The Soma Substation will be of very similar design and layout. The Soma Substation will mainly serve the Rural Areas.