Cablegate: Promises of Electric Energy for Freetown

VZCZCXYZ0002
PP RUEHWEB

DE RUEHFN #0686 3231420
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 191420Z NOV 07
FM AMEMBASSY FREETOWN
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 1520

INFO RUEHJL/AMEMBASSY BANJUL 0143

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

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