Madagascar has one of the lowest electricity service ratios in the world, with most of the island’s population using wood as a source of energy. Electricity generation is largely dependent upon fossil fuels, and the Government has therefore identified increasing hydro-electric generation as one of the country’s priorities and private sector involvement as an avenue to do so without increasing the country already overwhelming debt.

The Project comprises a principal dam on the Onive, a reservoir, an underground gallery followed by a penstock down to the hydropower plant located downstream.

Objective: To provide energy from an inexpensive and renewable source for the Antsirabé - Antananarivo grid. The annual average production will be 1570 GWh.
Location of Project: Will be located on the Onive River and will have an installed capacity of 192 MW, of which 130 MW will be 99% guaranteed.
Project footprint: The Project is located at a distance of about 100 km from Antananarivo, Madagascar capital city, and 40 km from Antsirabe. Two administrative districts (Antanifotsy and Ambatolampy districts, both in Vakinankaratra region) are affected by the dam and reservoir. The Fokontany (communities) of Antenina and Befortaka are most affected while the Commune of Tsinjoarivo contains Ankazomena and Antandrokomby Fokontany, which are marginally affected by the reservoir.
The total population of the four fokontany that are affected by the dam and reservoir is estimated around 5 760 people, 2 062 of whom will be affected by the Project.

(Source: Taken from disclosure of attached documents - RAP and ESIA).