Power producer Tembo Power and WK Construction have conducted detailed studies on the 7.5MW Dama and 12MW Siguvyaye river hydropower development projects in Burundi.

The agreement will also grant WK Construction priority engineering procurement and construction (EPC) contractor status, while its investment arm WK Power will retain a minority stake in these projects.

According to a statement from United Media, both projects are expected to complete financing in the third quarter of 2021, with a combined investment of approximately US$50 million.

The statement further stated that the expansion agreement confirmed the technical and economic feasibility of the project and demonstrated the success of the ongoing 15MW Kaptis partnership in Kenya. Here, Tembo Power mainly deals with overall development, while WK Construction brings key technical expertise to conduct financial settlements with the least degree of uncertainty, which will also greatly facilitate actual execution.

"We are very pleased to enter into Burundi with WK Construction to establish a partnership, as this will allow us to leverage the experience we have gained in Kenya and fast track the development phase of detailed studies before financial settlement. WK Construction is a leading pipeline contractor, This makes it an ideal partner for Burundi projects with high heads and low rated flows.” said Raphael Khalifa, founder of Tembo Power.

About hydropower projects

The Dama and Siguvyaye projects are currently in the licensing phase. South African engineering company Aurecon and Tembo Power’s strategic technology partner Aurecon conducted a feasibility study, including geotechnical engineering and geophysical surveys.Editor/Huang Lijun