Senegal: the Sicilsaldo, Enerco and Micoperi consortium wins a key contract for the GTA-Gandon gas pipeline

Réseau Gazier du Sénégal (RGS) has awarded a strategic contract to the Sicilsaldo SPA, Enerco SPA and Micoperi SPA consortium to build the gas pipeline linking the GTA hub/terminal to the Gandon CCGT power plant. The project, worth FCFA 181,858,162,064 excluding VAT (around USD 287 million), marks a major step forward in Senegal's ambition to strengthen its energy sovereignty.

The call for tenders, launched on 4 October 2024, covered the engineering, procurement, construction and financing (EPC-F) of the 85 km-long Northern Segment gas pipeline. This section, which connects the GTA hub to the Gandon power station, is a key component of the Réseau Gazier du Sénégal, a 400 km project to transport natural gas from offshore fields to points of consumption.

The consortium, made up of three specialist companies, Sicilsaldo, Enerco and Micoperi, was chosen over three other candidates, including China Petroleum Pipeline Engineering Co Ltd (CPP) and Groupement PowerChina International Group Limited-CNPC Offshore Engineering. The award, made official after a rigorous evaluation process, is based on the provisions of the Réseau Gazier du Sénégal (RGS), in accordance with decree no. 005814 of 29 March 2024 and decree no. 2022-2295 of 28 December 2022.

The contract, which runs for 14 months from notification of the start-up order, commits the consortium to delivering an operational gas pipeline by mid-2026. This tight schedule reflects the urgent need for Senegal to secure its gas supply, which is essential for powering its electricity plants and reducing its dependence on imported fuels such as fuel oil and coal.

This project is part of a wider vision of economic transformation supported by the RGS, which aims to make gas a lever for industrial development and access to energy. By connecting the GTA hub to Gandon, the Northern Segment will contribute to the production of cleaner, more affordable electricity, while supporting the country's climate objectives, in particular an expected reduction of 30 million tonnes of CO2 by 2050.

With this award, Senegal has entrusted an experienced consortium with an infrastructure that is crucial to its energy future, reinforcing its position as an emerging player in the exploitation of gas in West Africa.