Kinguélé Aval

The Kinguélé Aval project is a 34 MW hydroelectric dam run-of-river operation in Gabon. The project is located on the Mbei River, a tributary of the Komo River. Much of its footprint overlaps with the buffer zone of Monts de Cristal National Park. The project will have potential negative impacts on Endangered Western lowland gorillas (Gorilla gorilla gorilla) and Central chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes troglodytes). The project is run by Asonha Energie S.A, an international consortium made up of Meridiam and Gabon Power Company. Operation of the dam is planned to begin in 2022 and last for 30 years. The ARRC Task Force was first contacted in 2020 to review the project’s Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP) to align with IFC PS6. Comments were provided to the company on several occasions and the engagement is ongoing.