Powertothepeople
How hydropower forever changes the lifestyle of an Equatorial Guinean village
Before the Djiploho Hydropower Station was built, Djiploho was a secluded forest village in Equatorial Guinea. The change has shone a spotlight on the Riowele River, now quite literally the center of power.
Liu Bao, General Manager of the Sinohydro Bureau Six Co. Ltd. of the Power Construction Corp. of China and also the Chief Supervisor of the Djiploho Hydropower Station project, said the power plant satisfies more than 90 percent of the country’s electricity demand and has promoted the country’s industrial and agricultural growth with the help of the Bata grid.
“Who could have imagined that in the desolate primary forest, a group of Chinese friends with a love for Equatorial Guinea are constructing such a grand project?” asked Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, President of Equatorial Guinea, at the cornerstone laying ceremony of the power plant in December 2008.
In 2014, the Ministry of Industry and Energy in Equatorial Guinea signed and issued the certificate of transfer of Djiploho Hydropower Station to take over the project. In the process, Equatorial Guinea became one of the first African countries to benefit from the Belt and Road Initiative by having its infrastructure built. development plan.
Liu’s team paid special attention to environmental protection during the construction of the power plant.
“We placed great emphasis on environmental protection during our construction and our environmental impact assessment report was passed by local authorities,” said Liu. During construction as few trees as possible were cut and all the waste water underwent sedimentation before being discharged. Garbage classification was also practiced, said Liu.
The strict environmental protection measures were welcomed by local government and the local community. The Djiploho Hydropower Station has now become the first hydropower station in Equatorial Guinea to end the country’s reliance on oil for power generation, heralding the dawn of green energy.