Africa economy
In Benin, an ultramodern electricity network offered by the United States
Audio 02:25
The construction site of the new Vedokon transformer in Cotonou.
© Olivier Rogez / RFI
By: Olivier Rogez Follow
3 mins
All this week, Africa Economy is exploring the systemic transformations of the Beninese economy.
Today, we are interested in an invisible and silent revolution: the renovation and modernization of Benin's electricity distribution network.
A program funded by a donation from American cooperation, the Millennium Challenge Account.
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From our special correspondent in Cotonou,
It is a control room in the heart of an ultra-modern building built in the town of Calavi.
Facing a huge wall screen, engineers seated in front of desks are busy.
We are in the brand new dispatching room, an ultra-modern tool, financed by the American cooperation program, the Millennium Challenge Account, the MCA.
This room will become in the coming months the nerve center of the entire Beninese electrical network.
“
We have computerized supervision, security and energy dispatching.
explains Oswald Acclassato, project manager at MCA.
This control center, unique in West Africa, will soon be officially handed over to the Beninese electricity company.
Soon, the country's 55 transformers and distribution stations will be controlled and monitored by this center: "
The operator in front of me can zoom in on each electrical station, he can read the voltage, he can see if there are disturbances.
If there are alarms, events occurring there, he can see it immediately
,” says Oswald Acclassato.
This center is only one stone in the edifice built by American cooperation.
The high-voltage lines that serve the north of the country in particular have been modernized in less than five years, as engineer Melvine Ahouissoussi explains: "
In these northern areas, we have very long lines that are at 20,000 volts .
The more the network extends, the more the final consumer has a bad voltage level.
So, to reverse the trend, you have to increase the voltage level.
This is what we have done by passing these networks from 20,000 to 33,000 volts.
»
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800 kilometers of lines have thus been upgraded.
But the heart of the project is indeed the city of Cotonou.
The distribution network and electrical transformers have been replaced.
Oswald Acclassato: “
This station you see is one of the prototypes of a set of seven stations like this installed throughout Cotonou.
They have more than enough capacity to take into account the needs of the area, even when it will be densified by 2040.
”
This modernization will enable Benin to support its economic and industrial development.
Especially since energy production is expected to grow in the years to come.
Benin wants to buy less electricity and produce more.
Good news for consumers hoping for lower energy prices.
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