Nigeria has taken the decision to cut off its electricity supply to Niger following sanctions imposed on the junta that ousted the country’s elected leader, as reported by AFP.
A source from Niger’s power company Nigelec stated, “Since yesterday, Nigeria has disconnected the high-voltage line transporting electricity to Niger.”
Niger relies on Nigeria for 70 percent of its power, purchasing it from the Nigerian company Mainstream, according to Nigelec, which is the country’s monopoly supplier.
The electricity is generated by the Kainji Dam located in western Nigeria.
Despite having a local production source in the capital Niamey, many districts already faced frequent power cuts even before the coup.
To achieve energy independence, Niger is working towards constructing the Kandadji Dam on the Niger River, approximately 180 kilometers (110 miles) upstream from Niamey.
The dam is expected to be completed in 2025 and aims to have an annual capacity of 629 gigawatt-hours (GWh).
Prime Minister Ouhoumoudou Mahamadou expressed concern about the impact of the sanctions, stating, “The sanctions will hurt our country very much,” during an interview on the French TV channel France24.
