Nangbeto Dam

The Nangbeto Dam is an embankment dam on the Mono River in the Plateaux Region of Togo. It was constructed between 1984 and 1987 for the purpose of providing hydroelectric power to both Togo and Benin as well as creating fisheries and supplying water for irrigation. The dam's 65.6 megawatts (88,000 hp) power station was commissioned in June 1987. The project was financed by the World Bank and African Development Bank at a cost of US$98.22 million.[1][2][3]

Nangbeto Dam
Location of Nangbeto Dam in Togo
Country	Togo
Location	Plateaux Region
Coordinates	7°25′25.40″N 1°26′5.82″E
Purpose	Power, irrigation, fisheries
Status	Operational
Construction began	1984
Opening date	1987
Construction cost	US$98.22 million
Dam and spillways
Height	52 m (171 ft)
Length	443 m (1,453 ft)
Reservoir
Total capacity	1,710×10^6 m3 (1,390,000 acre⋅ft)
Commission date	1987
Turbines	2 x 32.8 MW (44,000 hp) Kaplan-type
Installed capacity	65.6 MW (88,000 hp)

The objectives of the dam were to satisfy the medium-term requirements of Benin and Togo for power, and to provide a large water reserve, amounting to 1.7 billion cubic metres. It was expected that 1000 to 1500 tonnes of fish would be produced each year and that 43,000 hectares of land would be irrigated.[4] Evaluation of the project six years later showed that the project had been completed on time and on budget to a satisfactory standard. The project was a good example of cooperation between the two countries. The power generation objective was satisfied but the fish development scheme had failed and the irrigation project was proceeding at a slower rate than expected. However, initial results of the cultivation of rice on the irrigated land were encouraging.[4]

The Nangbeto Dam serves part of Togo's needs for electricity and is subject to interruptions in supply when the water level is low, which may happen for periods of several months. As a result, a further dam on the Mono River further downstream at Adjaralla is being constructed, starting in 2016.[5] The fish production scheme involved in this project and other environmental issues are being planned at an earlier stage in its development.[4]