Employees of Kikot-Mbebe Hydro Power Company (KHPC) took part in the celebration of the company’s first anniversary on September 25.

A major hydropower initiative in Cameroon has taken a step forward as Kikot-Mbébé Hydro Power Company (KHPC), a partnership between France’s EDF and the Government of Cameroon, begins selecting contractors for the construction of the 500MW Kikot-Mbébé hydroelectric dam on the Sanaga River. The deadline for submissions is 31 March.

Three contract lots are available for bidding. Lot 1 focuses on civil engineering, covering the dam’s construction and hydro-mechanical equipment. Lot 2 involves electromechanical works, including power plant equipment and supporting civil engineering. Lot 3 covers transmission infrastructure, such as a 400 kV evacuation line, switchyard, and grid connections.

Companies that pass this selection stage will be invited to participate in the formal tender process, which is expected to commence between August and September 2025. KHPC has indicated that national and international firms may apply as long as they are not subject to sanctions by the Cameroonian government, the World Bank, or the International Finance Corporation (IFC).

Located in Mbam-et-Kim département, around 6 km from Yaoundé, the project is being developed under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP). It will consist of a 1200m-long dam and a powerhouse equipped with six Kaplan turbines, each with a capacity of 83.3MW, harnessing a head of 35 metres. A 40km transmission line will connect the plant to the RIS interconnection point in Boumnyebel.

Construction is planned to commence in 2026, with operations expected to begin in 2030. The initiative aligns with Cameroon’s National Development Strategy 2020-2030, which prioritises low-cost electricity generation through hydropower.

The project is estimated to cost over €1 billion, with financial backing anticipated from the World Bank, IFC, and other development partners.

Companies interested in bidding must email appeloffres.kikot@khpc.cm and Projet-kikot@edf.fr, specifying which lot(s) they wish to apply for. After signing a Confidentiality Agreement, applicants will gain access to the selection documents via the iDeals virtual platform.