Completed Development AidData Chinese Aid

Chinese Government funds Port Loko and Charlotte Transmission and Distribution Network Project

Funder	China Ministry of Commerce
Recipient Organization	Government of Sierra Leone
Country	Sierra Leone
Start Date	Sep 26, 2016
End Date	Jan 15, 2028
Duration	4,128 days
Number of Grantees	1
Roles	Recipient
Data Source	AidData Chinese Aid
Grant ID	`62517`

Grant Description

In September 26, 2016, the Chinese Embassy in Sierra Leone reported that it signed a supplementary agreement with Sierra Leone’s Ministry of Energy for the construction of the China-aided Port Loko and Charlotte Transmission and Distribution Network Project.

This project involved the installation of two substations, 21 km of 11kV power transmission lines, 3 km of 415V power transmission lines, 20 transformers, and a high-voltage switchgear. The total cost of the project was RMB 49,723,500 (approximately $7.02 million). Shanxi Construction Investment Group Co., Ltd. was the contractor responsible for Implementation.

Construction began in November 17, 2016 and ended on December 12, 2017. The handover ceremony occurred on December 22, 2017.

The Chinese embassy identifies the project site locations as Port Loko and Charlotte, but Shanxi Construction Investment Group Co., Ltd. identifies the project site locations as Port Loko, Freetown and Makali. The nature and size of the Chinese Government financial commitment for this project is unknown.

📋 Staff Comments

This project is separate from the mini hydropower plants in Port Loko, Makali, and Freetown (see Project ID#2958, #22211, #53053).
Given that this project is described by official sources as 'China-aided', AidData assumes that it was funded through a MOFCOM grant or interest-free loan. The flow_class field is therefore set to ODA-Like because the project has development intent and grants and interest-free loans from MOFCOM always exceed the OECD concessionality threshold of 25%

📚 Sources & References

沈晓凯参赞与塞签署输变电项目补充协议
中国援建塞拉利昂输变电项目竣工移交系山西建投首个援外输变电项目
Minister of Energy launches Transmission and Distribution Project in Port Loko
Ambassador Wu Peng Joins President Koroma to Commission Three Hydro Power Stations
Wang Yi: China Will Intensify Cooperation with Sierra Leone in Five Major Fields in 'Post-Ebola Era'
驻塞拉利昂大使吴鹏出席中国援塞输变电项目开工仪式, 2014 National Budget (citizens edition)
Minister of Energy Embarks on Inspection Tour of Electricity Facilities
驻塞拉利昂大使吴鹏与塞科罗马总统出席援塞小水电站项目和输变电项目移交暨启用仪式
Progress Report - Ministry of Energy 2014 -2017 Loan applications and disbursements are still being received and processed as the projects continue to evolve. Ongoing monitoring and evaluation are in place to ensure project continuity.