Mali - Bamako 225 kV Northern Loop Project (PBNB)

The Bamako 225 kV Northern Loop Project (PBNB) has been classified as a priority energy sector project by the country. Indeed, its implementation is essential for transmitting energy from the various interconnections and power plants to be built around Bamako to consumption centres, particularly industrial areas on the outskirts of the city. Hence, it will consolidate the results of the ongoing Guinea-Mali electricity interconnection project co-financed by the Bank. It will help secure Bamako's electricity supply, with an expected reduction in the daily duration of power cuts from 92 to 64 minutes. Furthermore, the infrastructure to be built under the project will facilitate the evacuation of power from the future Kénié hydroelectric plant and from the future Safo and Kambila solar power plants (Desert to Power initiative). The latter project is currently under review at the Bank. The Bank's involvement has been crucial in securing significant funding from other technical and financial partners (BOAD and IsDB) and the climate funds (GCF and CIF) in order to complete the project's financing, particularly for all high voltage works (lines and substations) needed to finalise the 225 kV loop around Bamako. Financing from the IsDB and BOAD was approved in December 2023 and March 2024, respectively. The project has four (04) components, namely: (A) electrical infrastructure, (B) environmental and social measures, (C) institutional support and (D) project management. PBNB will be implemented over a period of five years from January 2026 to December 2030.