IllustrativeBetmai Hydroelectric Project
Sierra Leone · NorthernPower · Generation
A 27 MW run-of-river hydro scheme on the Pampana River in Northern Sierra Leone, delivering 142.9 GWh a year of modelled output under an agreed 25-year PPA into a grid that meets less than half of national demand.
Rationale
Grid supply is about 140 MW against unconstrained demand of about 320 MW, rising to 485 MW by 2030, and only 36% of Sierra Leoneans have electricity.² Betmai adds renewable baseload from a natural 60 m waterfall, with no large storage dam.
- Scheme
- 80 m gross head; 40 m³/s design flow
- Units
- 4 Francis: 1 × 2.7 MW, 3 × 8.1 MW
- Grid
- 28 km 66 kV line to Magburaka
- Stage
- Late-stage development, to financial close
Investment opportunity
Transaction structure
Equity in a 27 MW run-of-river plant with an agreed 25-year PPA.
Use of funds
Weir and intake, power canal, three steel penstocks, powerhouse and the 28 km 66 kV line.
Revenue basis
Plant-gate sale at USD 125/MWh (USD 105 generation, USD 20 transmission), escalating 2% a year.
The ask
Equity investors to join the raise that takes the project to financial close.
Why it is bankable
Grid supply of about 140 MW against 320 MW of demand, rising to 485 MW by 2030.²
25-year PPA agreed with a utility offtaker, modelled as take-or-pay at USD 125/MWh.
Government of Sierra Leone as PPA counterparty; supply to the national grid and West Africa Power Pool.¹
Open: equity positions available ahead of financial close.
Data and evidence · Hydrology and yield
Project readiness and timeline
- OriginationLate-stage development
- FeasibilityStudy updated 2017
- StructuringCapital structure under review
- Financial closeCurrent stage
- ConstructionTo follow
Key risks and mitigants
43-year flow record correlated to an on-site gauge; run-of-river design avoids reservoir risk.
Take-or-pay PPA with a sovereign counterparty; credit support terms in the Tier 2 data room.
Estimates are at 2017 prices; the updated cost breakdown is released under NDA.
Transaction terms
- Offtaker
- Utility; sovereign counterparty
- Contract status
- PPA agreed; 25-year tenor
- Tariff basis
- USD 125/MWh at plant gate, +2% a year
- E&S category
- AfCEN screening; category to be confirmed
- WAIIS pillar
- Energy Trade & Industrial Growth
Development impact
Access
Only 36% of Sierra Leoneans have electricity; the national target is 78% by 2030.²
Climate
Supports lifting renewables from 46% to 52% of the energy mix by 2030.²
Regional integration
Planned supply to the national grid and the West Africa Power Pool.¹