FACTBOX-Independent electricty projects in Africa

Oct 22 (Reuters) - Private power generation in Africa could be a quick and efficient fix to the continent's power woes as long as governments reduce red tape, up tariffs and put more than one electricity buyer in place. [ID:nLM519929] Below are examples of independent power projects in Africa. BOTSWANA * Toronto-listed CIC Energy (ELC.TO: Quote, Profile, Research) plans a 1,320 MW coal-fired plant in Botswana. The project was put on hold as CIC waits to sign a power purchase agreement with South Africa's utility Eskom. [ID:nL7309541] * Saber Energy Corp. is an emerging energy company exploring for coal-bed methane gas in the Karoo Coal Basin in Botswana. CAMEROON * US-based AES Corp (AES.N: Quote, Profile, Research) took a 56 percent stake in the state-run electricity company to become AES-SONEL. The company raised output by 500 MW to 936 MW. AES-SONEL is building the 86 MW Yassa heavy fuel oil plant near Douala and there are plans for a 200 MW gas-fired plant at Kribi, on the Atlantic coast. * Rio Tinto's (RIO.L: Quote, Profile, Research) (RIO.AX: Quote, Profile, Research) aluminium operation signed an agreement with the government to invest $2.5 billion to build a 930 MW hydro-power project that would feed a proposed aluminium smelter and to boost local supply. Construction is not due to begin until 2011 with aluminium production starting in 2016. * Rio Tinto also plans a 300 MW hydro power plant at Nachtigal, north of the capital, to cost $1.3 billion. * China's Sinohydro has reached a preliminary agreement to take over the 200 MW Memve'ele hydropower plant, where it plans to build a dam and a power plant that would feed the national grid as well as supply northern Congo Republic, Gabon and Equatorial Guinea.[ID:nLV332493]. GHANA * Ghana has several 17-380 MW projects under development up to 2012. Feedstock to include gas, crude oil, waste and hydro. The first, a 200 MW gas plant at Asogli, is due this year. IVORY COAST * The Azito Project is a 300 MW natural gas power plant developed on a build-own-transfer basis. The consortium that owns the plant wants to add a third 150 MW turbine in 2010. * Electricity Production Company (CIPREL), part of the Bouygues group BOUY.PA , plans to raise output from 210 MW to 320 MW at its gas-fired power plant at a cost of 46 billion CFA francs ($104.7 million). MOROCCO * The 1,372 MW Jorf Lasfar coal-fired power plant project was built at a cost of $1.5 billion. Developed under a build-transfer-operate arrangement, it generates power for the national utility under a 30-year purchase agreement. MOZAMBIQUE * The Cahora Bassa dam produces 2,075 MW but has potential to generate 14,000 MW. It currently sells 60 percent of its power to South Africa's Eskom and 35 percent to the Zimbabwe Electricity Supply Authority (ZESA). Mozambique consumes the remaining 5 percent. [ID:nLC452200] NIGERIA * Nigeria's Ibom Power Company (IPC) expects to complete the first phase of its gas-fired power plant supplying 190 megawatts by the end of this year. IPC is solely owned and run by the Akwa Ibom state government. [ID:nLJ706709] SOUTH AFRICA * British-based IPSA operates a 18 MW heat and power plant in Newcastle. It has two projects under development: a 500 MW coal-fired plant in the Eastern Cape province and a 1,600 MW combined cycle gas turbine plant at the Coega industrial zone. * Suez Energy International is planning to build two oil-fired open-cycle gas turbine power plants totalling 1,000 MW. KENYA * Lake Turkana Wind project envisages a 300 MW farm in the country's northern region at a cost of some $760 million. [ID:nLF175258]. It has also asked for tenders for a 428-km (266-mile) power line and four substations. [ID:nLK310660] * Kenya Electricity Generating Company (KenGen) (KEGN.NR: Quote, Profile, Research) is looking for a venture partner holding a 60 percent stake for a 300 MW coal-fired plant estimated to cost $700 million. * Aldwych International is developing the 90 MW Rabai Power Plant at a cost of 114 million euro ($170.2 million). The project will sell electricity to the Kenya Power and Lighting Company (KPLC) (KPLC.NR: Quote, Profile, Research) in a 20-year power purchase agreement. * KPLC has invited investors to put up three diesel-run plants, each for 80 MW, at Athi River, just outside the capital. TANZANIA * Songas -- a consortium including state-run Tanzania Petroleum Development Corporation and Bermuda-based Globeleq -- generates about 190 MW from gas sourced from Songo Songo Island. Proven deposits are about 1.3 trillion cubic feet. * Tanzania plans a private public partnership for the River Ruhudji hydro project, a 358 MW plant to cost about $1 billion. * Canada's Artumas Group (AGIC.OL: Quote, Profile, Research) plans a 300 MW natural gas-powered project in southern Tanzania for $700 million. UGANDA * The Bujagali Hydropower plant is a 250 MW project jointly owned by Sithe Global Power and the Aga Khan Fund for Economic Development. (Reporting by Agnieszka Flak and Helen Nyambura, Additional reporting by Loucoumane Coulibaly in Abidjan, Tansa Musa in Yaounde, David Lewis in Dakar and Kwasi Kpodo in Accra)