The Gabonese government is taking steps to alleviate the energy stress affecting many parts of the country. To address this issue, the government is accelerating the reinforcement of electricity production. A key project is underway in Akournam, where the construction of a new power plant by the Société d'Électricité et d'Eau du Gabon (SEEG) is gaining momentum.
On September 24, the Vice-President of the government, Hermann Immongault, accompanied by the Minister of Universal Access to Water and Energy, Philippe Tonangoye, and the Mayor of Owendo, Arnaud Sandri Nombo, visited the site to inspect the progress of the project. The plant will feature five turbines, each with a capacity of 25 MW, for a total production of 125 MW of electricity.
The project is a partnership between SEEG and Aska Energy, involving the renovation of the Akournam site. The old turbines from the 1970s have been dismantled and replaced with new Siemens SGT 600 turbines. The civil engineering work has been completed, and the new turbines will significantly increase the plant's production capacity.
According to Yann Yangari, representative of Aska Energy, the project is on schedule for completion by the end of December 2026. In addition to the Akournam power plant, the government has also deployed 5,000 new meters in Owendo, including 4,000 water meters and 1,000 electricity meters, as part of the "One Gabonese, One Meter" program.
This program, a gift from China, aims to improve access to electricity and water for the population. Furthermore, over 3,000 solar kits will be deployed to accelerate the electrification of rural areas. The Minister of Universal Access to Water and Energy, Philippe Tonangoye, emphasized that the goal is to achieve 90% access to water and 95% access to energy across the country by 2032.
The government's efforts to improve access to electricity and water are part of a broader strategy to address the country's energy challenges. The project in Akournam and the deployment of new meters in Owendo are expected to have a significant impact on the daily lives of the population.
The progress made on the Akournam power plant and the deployment of new meters in Owendo demonstrate the government's commitment to addressing the country's energy stress. The completion of the power plant and the expansion of access to electricity and water are expected to boost economic growth and improve living standards.
Key points
- The Gabonese government has launched a project to build a new 125 MW power plant in Akournam, which is expected to be completed by the end of December 2026.
- 5,000 new water and electricity meters have been deployed in Owendo as part of the "One Gabonese, One Meter" program.
- The government aims to achieve 90% access to water and 95% access to energy across the country by 2032.
