Kaléta: Providing electricity self-sufficiency for Guinea

Kaléta is a run-of-river hydro project in the Republic of Guinea, about 110 km from the capital, Conakry. The project is part of the integrated development of the Konkouré river, which began with the commissioning of the Garafiri dam in 1999, upstream of the Kaléta site. The site will take advantage of the natural falls, providing a head of up to 40 m. This paper gives an overview of the Konkouré’s hydro potential, and development progress to date. Also discussed is the hydro- and electro-mechanical equipment supplied and associated challenges, and the opportunities for energy production during the dry season, which are crucial for the development and electrification of the Republic of Guinea.