(Ecofin Agency) - Soon, a $200 billion high-voltage line will be laid between Tambacounda and Zinguinchor in Senegal. .

“Only the eastern part of the country and the Casamance are yet to have a high-voltage line. This project will therefore help connect these parts of the country to the national high-voltage grid,” said Mamadou Diémé, Senelec’s regional deputy for South Senegal.

Developing this line falls under the network voltage densification project which the government plans to expand all over the nation.

Meeting with populations concerned, Mr. Diémé Ibra Fall, prefect of Zinguinchor, and experts working on the project talked about the environmental impact of the project.

“There will be negative impacts on the environment since the line will be suspended over rice and cashew plantations and many other arable lands. Agricultural activities will also be impaired with minimal losses,” said Alassane Sène, one of the authors of the study on environmental impact.

He however emphasized that the project presented some benefits. “This project will boost the secondary sector which depends partly on electricity. Many investors want to come south but hesitate because of the power issues,” he said.

Gwladys Johnson