The 800,000 inhabitants of Bata in Equatorial Guinea have been living without electricity for the past two weeks. This energy shortfall in the economic capital of the country is mainly due to a drought.

The city is indeed supplied by the Djibloho hydroelectric power plant of a capacity of 120 MW, located on the Wolé river which water level has substantially decreased. "We have special circumstances this year, the drought is just too intense. Bata has expanded these past years, the demand in electricity has increased. We moved from a demand of 34 MW to 60 MW" explained Gabriel Mbega Obisng Lima, minister of Mines, Industry and Energy based on comments quoted by Slate.

This situation which is prevailing in the third oil producing country of the continent will only come to an end in one or two months, the national energy company giving priority at the moment to strategic places such ad hospitals and military camps. The minister thus called for the patience of the distraught population...A