PROMISES OF ELECTRIC ENERGY FOR FREETOWN

UNCLAS FREETOWN 000686 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS FOR AF/W E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: EAID ENRG PREL SL SUBJECT: PROMISES OF ELECTRIC ENERGY FOR FREETOWN 1.(SBU) Summary: In a meeting with local businessman, Pol/Econ officer was told that there are short term plans to boost electric power generation by the end of the calendar year, and a longer term plan to provide greater generating capacity over the next two the three years. End Summary. ¶2. (SBU) Houssein Bazzy, a local businessman whose interests include part ownership of the Seaboard flour mill as well and shipping and import companies, told Pol/Econ officer on November 1 that one of his companies has won a contract to install seven diesel powered generating units with a capacity of 22.5 megawatts to supply power to Freetown. These units will serve as a temporary source of electricity while a 60 megawatt plant using heavy fuel oil is procured from Germany. The initial seven units will be Caterpillar equipment. Bazzy said that his company has undertaken a similar short term power project in Banjul, and, in fact, some of the generators will be brought in from The Gambia. 3.(SBU) Bazzy claimed that the initial group of generators will be delivered to Freetown by December 20. The intention is to operate the diesel units for two years or so until a heavy fuel oil generating plant can be brought on line. Over the long term, the hydro-electric station at Bumbuna is expected to be completed and to provide power to Freetown. PERRY