Kinguélé Aval connection causes power cuts in Libreville until 13 November
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on GabonActu
Illustrative image · Muneeb Khan · Pexels · Licence PexelsGabon’s energy and water utility SEEG announces rotating three-hour power cuts between 6pm and 11pm in Greater Libreville from 6 to 13 November 2026. The cuts are linked to the connection of the Kinguélé Aval hydroelectric plant to Libreville’s grid by SINOHYDRO, which caps production at 55 MW instead of the usual 94 MW.
Rotating power cuts lasting an average of three hours between 6pm and 11pm are planned in Greater Libreville from 6 to 13 November 2026 during work to connect the Kinguélé Aval hydroelectric plant to Libreville’s electricity grid. Gabon’s energy and water utility Société d’énergie et d’eau du Gabon (SEEG) said the operation is being carried out by SINOHYDRO.
The work requires the temporary shutdown of the 225 kV line between Kinguélé and Bisségué. The combined output of the Tchimbélé and Kinguélé plants will then be capped at 55 MW, compared with the usual 94 MW, with their electricity having to pass through a less-capable 90 kV backup line, according to SEEG.
The project has four stages: connection of the line from 6 to 8 November, testing of communication systems on 9 and 10 November, testing of remote control and meter data transmission on 11 and 12 November, followed by energisation tests on 13 November, according to SEEG.
In the long term, Kinguélé Aval is expected to add 35 MW to the Greater Libreville grid. Built on the Mbei River, about 100 kilometres from Libreville, the plant is expected to produce between 200 and 205 GWh per year, or nearly 13% of Greater Libreville’s current needs, according to the project developer.
