On Wednesday, August 6, 2025, the Kribi Autonomous Port (PAK) announced the launch of construction works for a 225 kV power line connecting the KPDC gas power plant to the port, along with a 225/30 kV transformer substation. The event was presided over by the Minister of Water and Energy, with the Minister of Transport also in attendance—highlighting the national significance of the project.
The ceremony took place on the forecourt of the PAK’s annex building No. 01 and brought together several high-profile figures: Gaston Eloundou Essomba, Minister of Water and Energy; Jean Ernest Massena Ngalle Bibehe, Minister of Transport; local authorities; and representatives of technical and industrial partners. The Director General of PAK also spoke, outlining the scale and ambition of the project.
A symbolic moment marked the signing of a memorandum of understanding between PAK and SONATREL, reinforcing a key technical partnership for project management. This was followed by a site visit to the future substation, where tangible progress could be seen—demonstrating PAK’s swift commitment to deploying the necessary infrastructure.
The project’s ambition is clear: to build a 42 km double-circuit high-voltage line capable of meeting an immediate demand of 100 MW and eventually reaching a capacity between 330 and 400 MW. This would enable the port’s industrial zone to host new industries.
The future TBEA substation will be equipped with three 60 MVA transformers, offering a total capacity of 180 MVA. It will be directly connected to the Southern Interconnected Grid through several sources: Memve’ele (Ebolowa), Nachtigal, Songloulou, Édea Béon, and the KPDC power plant. This configuration ensures operational redundancy (N‑2), providing reliable power supply to industries even in case of disruptions.
Estimated at 35 billion FCFA, this major project is scheduled to span 16 months, with commissioning expected by the end of 2026. It aims to strengthen the energy autonomy of the Kribi industrial-port zone, maximize the output of the 216 MW KPDC power plant, and pave the way for ambitious industrialization at the deep-sea port of Kribi, already equipped with modern infrastructure (715 m quay, container terminal, etc.).
The launch of these energy facilities reflects Cameroon’s vision: to transform Kribi Port into an integrated industrial and logistics hub, a driver of sub-regional development.
