Hydropower site screening in Nigeria – adding value in the early phases of project planning Gregg BARKER Nathalie TOMCZAK Project manager Tractebel Engineering S.A. / Coyne et Bellier Tract Gennevilliers, France Gennevilliers, France Nathalie TOMCZAK Environmental expert Tractebel Engineering S.A. / Coyne et Bellier ebel Engineering S.A. / Coyne et Bellier Gennevilliers, France [nathalie.tomczak@tractebel.engie.com](mailto:nathalie.tomczak@tractebel.engie.com) Okechukwu AMOGU Emilie LACROIX Hydrology specialist GIS specialist Tractebel Engineering S.A. / Coyne et Bellier Tract Gennevilliers, France Gennevilliers, France [okechukwu.amogu@tractebel.engie.com](mailto:okechukwu.amogu@tractebel.engie.com) Tractebel Engineering S.A. / Coyne et Bellier ebel Engineering S.A. / Coyne et Bellier Gennevilliers, France [emilie.lacroix@tractebel.engie.com](mailto:emilie.lacroix@tractebel.engie.com) Patrick PICHAVANT Hydropower expert Tractebel Engineering S.A. / Coyne et Bellier Gennevilliers, France [Patrick.pichavant@tractebel.engie.com](mailto:Patrick.pichavant@tractebel.engie.com) 1 Background Nigeria has a critical shortage of electricity supp Nigeria has a critical shortage of electricity supply which is a major constraint to economic growth. The country currently has three large major hydropower plants: Kainji HPP (760 MW) and Jebba HPP (578 MW) on the N iger River and Shiroro HPP (600 MW) on the Kaduna River. A fourth large hydropower plant, Zungeru HPP (700 MW), is currently under construction on the Kaduna River downstream of Shiroro HPP. Multipurpose projects (i.e. hydropower plus irrigation) are planned on the Niger River upstream of Nigeria. These Multipurpose projects (i.e. hydropower plus irrigation) are planned on the Niger River upstream of Nigeria. These include Kandadji MPP (Niger) which is nearing the construction phase and Taoussa MPP (Mali) and Fomi M PP (Guinea) which are currently in the planning phase. These developments are expected to reduce inflows to Nigeria and hence reduce the annual generation from the Kainji and Jebba HPPs. There remains significant hydropower potential in Nigeria, particularly in the Benue River basin and along the Niger There remains significant hydropower potential in Nigeria, particularly in the Benue River basin and along the Niger River between Jebba and Onitsha. The Benue River basin is the largest tributary of the Niger River in Nigeria and is largely unregulated. Natural flood events and uncontrolled releases from Lagdo MPP in Cameroon have resulted in a number of recent major flood events along the Benue and lower Niger rivers in Nigeria. 2 Introduction The Transmission Company of Nigeria – Project Management Unit (TCN-PMU) contracted Tractebel Engineering S.A. (Tractebel) to undertake a hydropower site screening study in Nigeria. The study area included the Benue River basin within Nigeria and the main stem of the Niger River between Jebba and Onitsha, with the Benue River given priority for development in the short term. The purpose of the study was to identify the best potential hydropower sites in the study area. The study assessed This study was part of the Niger Basin Water Resources Development and Sustainable Ecosystems Manageme nt Project (NBWRDSEMP) which is sponsored by the Inter national Development Associated (IDA) of the World Bank. TCN-PMU is the national implementation agency and the Niger Basin Authority (NBA) is the regional implementation agency of this project. The study team also included counterpart staff from TCN-PMU (2), Federal Ministry of Water Resources (FMWR) (1), Federal Ministry of Power (FMP) (1) and Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA) (2). Other federal and state-level stakeholders also actively participated in the study. * * * 3 Study area The study area is defined as the Benue River basin within Nigeria and the Niger River main stem between Jebba and Onitsha. The Benue River basin falls within hydrological areas HA-III (Upper Benue) and HA-IV (Lower B enue) and was divided into 15 sub-basins for the purposes of this study. The Niger River main stem between Jebba and Onitsha falls with hydrological areas HA-II (Niger Central) and HA-V (Niger South). A map of the study area showing the hydrological areas is provided in Figure 1. \[Image: R14\] \[Image: R14\] Figure 1: Hydrological areas of Nigeria showing study area The Benue River basin (HA-III and HA-IV) has the following characteristics: 2 • The largest right bank tributary of the Benue River is the Gongola River (53 000 km) and the largest left 2 2 2 bank tributaries are the Donga (20 000 km), Katsina-Ala (23 000 km) and Taraba (23 000 km) rivers. • The basin is largely unregulated, with the only significant storages being Lagdo MPP (Cameroon), Dadin Kowa MPP (Gongola River, Nigeria) and Kiri MPP (Gongola River, Nigeria). • The geology of the basin is dominated by the Benue Trough which forms a broad open valley through which flows the Benue River and the lower reaches of many tributaries. Here, Quaternary alluvium and Cretaceous sediments of substantial thickness overlie the Basement Complex. • Mean annual precipitation varies from > 2000 mm in the Eastern and North-Eastern Highlands and reduces • The power system is inadequate in the study area with a lack of generation sources, no looped transmission network, high losses and instability issues. • Land cover is characterised by deciduous forest in the Eastern and North-Eastern Highlands (underlain by • Land cover is characterised by deciduous forest in the Eastern and North-Eastern Highlands (underlain by Basement Complex geology) and mosaic croplands elsewhere. • Identified areas of biodiversity value include the Gashaka-Gumti National Park in the Eastern and North- Eastern Highlands near the border with Cameroon and the Yankari National Park in the Pai River catchment on the right bank of the Benue River. * * * # Study methodology ## 4.1 Site inventory The hydropower site inventory developed for the study comprises a total of 54 sites which were divided into two categories: - Potential sites (already identified) (23 sites): Potential hydropower sites (≥ 5 MW) within the study area, which have already been identified in previous studies. The inventory of potential sites (already identified) was based on the _National Water Resources Master Plan_ by JICA (January 2014), Tractebel’s knowledge of potential hydropower sites in Nigeria and other information sources. - Potential sites (newly identified) (31 sites): Potential hydropower sites (≥ 5 MW) within the study area which were newly identified as part of this study. The inventory of potential sites (newly identified) was developed using two approaches: o Detailed visual analysis of valley topography was performed using Google earth and SRTM DEM to identify narrow valley sections (constrictions) favourable for dam construction (even if the natural river slope is small). The analysis covered the 15 identified sub-basins and the main stems of the Benue and Niger rivers. o Tractebel’s in-house _Inventaire des Sites Hydroélectriques_ (ISHY) tool was used to automatically identify potential hydropower sites where the river slope can create a significant hydraulic head between a dam site and a powerhouse at a reasonable distance downstream. The tool uses ArcGIS software and SRTM DEM. | 4.2 Study data | | | | --- | --- | --- | | A substantial amount of new data collection and ana | lyses were undertaken across the entire study area, | an overview | | of which is provided in Figure 2. The data was summ | arised in a number of study reports which provide a | wealth of | | valuable information relevant to hydropower and wat | er resources development, including: policy framewo | rk and | | energy needs report, hydrological and water resourc | es report, reservoir operation and energy studies r | eport and | | strategic environmental and social assessment repor | t. | | Policy Environmental and social GIS data framework Existing studies system Power Hydrology Geology GIS data Multipurpose Technical and cost Energy needs needs Financial and economic Site Reservoir operation visits Kainji augmentation and energy Preliminary stakeholder consultation _Figure 2: Overview of study data_ The most important aspects of the study data were the site visits and the preliminary stakeholder consultation: - The site visits included state and local level consultation and high level technical, environmental and social assessments. Visits to the sites were carried out by two teams of Tractebel’s representatives and counterpart staff in January 2016. Team A visited seven sites (the site DON15 could not be visited) over 13 days. Team B also visited seven sites (the site BEN04 could not be visited) over 13 days. The site DON09 was visited in March 2016, giving a total of 15 sites visited for the study. - The preliminary stakeholder consultation was planned to be carried out in six Nigerian cities (Bauchi, Jalingo, Lokoja, Makurdi, Onitsha and Yola) in late February and early March 2016. The consultation teams comprised the consultation leader (Tractebel’s representative from Enviplan), socio-environmental experts, dams engineers, representatives from TCN-PMU as well as the counterpart staff. The consultations were successful, with a good attendance and participation, except in Lokoja where the meeting was not able to be held. * * * 4.3 Site screening process Multi-criteria analysis techniques were used to scr Multi-criteria analysis techniques were used to screen the inventory of 54 potential hydropower sites to the final three sites recommended for short-term development over four phases. Three screening methodologies wer e developed for application across the four screening phases, with each methodology having successively more detailed criteria and input data requirements. The site screening process is summarized in Table 1: th e implementation column highlights the collaborative nature of the site screening process with stakeholders. | Phase | Description | Screening methodology | Sites assessed | Sites retained | Sites eliminated | Implementation | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | 1 | Site inventory | Inventory (basic) | 54 | 26 | 28 | Screening by Tractebel experts Gennevilliers, France-09/2015 | | 2 | Site screening- preliminary shortlist | Integrated(basic) | 26 | 17 | 9 | Collaborative screening with stakeholders, Gennevilliers, France-02-06/11/16 | | 3 | Site screening- validation of shortlist | Integrated(basic) | 17 | 12 | 5 | Collaborative screening with stakeholders, Abuja,Nigeria-04-09/02/16 | | 4 | Recommendations for development | Integrated(detailed) | 12 | 3 | 9 | Collaborative screening with stakeholders, Abuja,Nigeria-03-05/05/16 | Table 1: Site screening process The integrated (detailed) site screening methodology includes six screening criteria. Each criterion includes one or more contributing factors, which give detailed guidance on how to assign a score from 0 to 3, although it is highlighted that the contributing factors do not necessarily have an equal importance. In order to rank the results of the multi-criteria scoring, it is necessary to assign a relative weighting to each of the criteria. Table 2 details the integrated (detailed) screening methodology adopted for the phase for screening including the six criteria, the contributing factors and the relative weighting. | Criterion | Contributing factors | Weighting(%) | | --- | --- | --- | | Technical constraints | Hydrological risksGeological and geotechnical risksConnection point to existing power systemContribution to regional power system stability and diversityConstruction works constraints | 15 | | Financial feasibility | Role of scheme within the power system of NigeriaFinancial characteristics | 30 | | Social impacts | Involuntary resettlementLocal and regional social impacts | 20 | | Environmental impacts | Natural habitatsLocal and regional environmental impacts | 10 | | Governance constraints | Local, regional and national water and energy policiesTrans-boundary water and energy policies | 10 | | Multipurpose benefits | Potential for multipurpose developments | 15 | | TOTAL | | 100 | Table 2: Integrated (detailed) screening methodology – phase 4 The multi-criteria scores obtained in the phase 4 screening are detailed in Table 3. | Project name | Name of the site | Technical constraints | Financial feasibility | Social impacts | Environmental impacts | Governance constraints | Multipurpose benefits | Total weighted score | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | BEN06 | Makurdi | 2,0 | 2,5 | 1,5 | 2,0 | 2,0 | 2,5 | 2,13 | | BEN01 (165) | Dasin Hausa | 2,0 | 1,0 | 1,5 | 2,0 | 2,0 | 2,0 | 1,60 | | BEN01 (180) | Dasin Hausa | 2,5 | 1,0 | 1,0 | 1,0 | 1,0 | 3,0 | 1,53 | | NIG02 | Lokoja | 1,5 | 1,5 | 0,0 | 1,5 | 1,5 | 2,0 | 1,28 | | NIG03 | Onitsha | 1,0 | 1,0 | 0,0 | 1,0 | 1,0 | 2,0 | 0,95 | | DON09 | Manya | 3,0 | 3,0 | 3,0 | 2,5 | 3,0 | 2,0 | 2,80 | | KAT02 | Bawarku | 3,0 | 3,0 | 2,5 | 3,0 | 3,0 | 2,0 | 2,75 | | TAR08 | Jamtari | 3,0 | 1,5 | 2,5 | 3,0 | 3,0 | 2,0 | 2,30 | | TAR12 | Garin Dalli | 2,5 | 1,5 | 2,0 | 2,0 | 3,0 | 3,0 | 2,18 | | KAT04 | Achin-Kondoor | 2,5 | 2,0 | 1,5 | 3,0 | 2,5 | 1,5 | 2,05 | | KAT07 | Katsina-Ala | 2,0 | 2,0 | 2,0 | 3,0 | 2,5 | 1,5 | 2,08 | | GON06 | Kirfi | 2,5 | 2,0 | 3,0 | 3,0 | 3,0 | 1,5 | 2,40 | | TAR05 | Karamti | 2,0 | 2,5 | 3,0 | 2,5 | 3,0 | 1,0 | 2,35 | Large sites on the main stem of the Benue or Niger rivers Medium and large sites on tributaries of the Benue River Small sites on tributaries of the Benue River Small sites on tributaries of the Benue River Table 3: Multi-criteria scores obtained for the 12 Table 3: Multi-criteria scores obtained for the 12 shortlisted sites in the phase 4 screening * * * 5 Shortlist of 12 hydropower sites The locations of the 12 shortlisted hydropower sites are shown on the map in Figure 3. The site characteristics are detailed in Table 4. \[Image: R54\] Figure 3: Map of the 12 shortlisted sites | Site ID | Site name | Sub-basin | Installed capacity(MW) | Annual total energy(GWh) | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | BEN01 | Dasin Hausa | Benue main stem | 120(180 masl)32(165 masl) | 526(180 masl)142(165 masl) | | BEN06 | Makurdi | Benue main stem | 290 | 1271 | | DON09 | Manya | Donga | 136 | 594 | | GON06 | Kirfi | Gongola | 19 | 84 | | KAT02 | Bawarku | Katsina-Ala | 182 | 798 | | KAT04 | Achin-Kondoor | Katsina-Ala | 79 | 344 | | KAT07 | Katsina-Ala | Katsina-Ala | 109 | 476 | | NIG02 | Lokoja | Niger main stem | 467 | 2443 | | NIG03 | Onitsha | Niger main stem | 441 | 2510 | | TAR05 | Karamti | Taraba | 24 | 103 | | TAR08 | Jamtari | Taraba | 60 | 265 | | TAR12 | Garin Dalli | Taraba | 92 | 403 | Table 4: Characteristics of the 12 shortlisted sites 6 Final three hydropower sites The phase 4 screening to identify the final three hydropower sites for short-term development was undertaken in Abuja over the period 03-05/05/16. The screening was undertaken collaboratively with stakeholders in a workshop environment. The workshop participants extensively debated the characteristics and multi-criteria scores of the 12 shortlisted hydropower sites and agreed to recommen d the following three sites: DON09 (Manya), KAT02 (Bawarku) and TAR12 (Garin Dalli). This recommendation was endorsed by the stakeholder s present at the final validation workshop in Abuja on This recommendation was endorsed by the stakeholder s present at the final validation workshop in Abuja on 15/06/16. The characteristics of the three sites are summarised in Table 5. DON09 and KAT02 are newly identified sites, while the TAR12 site was already identified in previous studies. * * * | Site ID | Site name | Reservoir level (masl) | Installed capacity(MW) | Total annual energy(GWh) | Reservoir storage volume(Mm3) | Reservoir surface area(km2) | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | DON09 | Manya | FSL 190MWL 194 | 136 | 594 | 583 | 61 | | KAT02 | Bawarku | FSL 156MWL 160 | 182 | 798 | 361 | 57 | | TAR12 | Garin Dalli | FSL 160MWL 163 | 92 | 403 | 3297 | 368 | | | | TOTAL | 410 | 1795 | | | Table 5: Characteristics of the final three sites recommended for short-term development The final three sites are located on the Donga, Katsina-Ala and Taraba Rivers. These three sub-basins are on the left bank of the Benue River and have some of the largest catchment areas, highest relief, highest rainfall and highest runoff of all the sub-basins within the study area (with the exception of the Gongola River which has the largest catchment area). 7 Future development actions Once the final three sites were endorsed by the stakeholders, the final task was to recommend future actions for FGN to facilitate project development in the short-term. These include the following: • Impact mitigation planning and baseline data collection activities: o Plan to mitigate, reduce or eliminate negative impacts and enhance positive impacts of the projects. The suggested actions include planning, communication and design and construction measures. o Seek relevant environmental permits in coordination with the National Environmental Standards o Seek relevant environmental permits in coordination with the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency. o Undertake environmental and social baseline data collection to provide information for the full environmental and social impact assessments and environmental management plans. These studies should be carried out during the detailed design phase and should include public consultation. o Acquire additional hydrological and meteorological data at each of the sites to provide information o Acquire additional hydrological and meteorological data at each of the sites to provide information for the detailed design. This includes rehabilitation and re-calibration of existing nearby river gauging stations and installation of new river gauging and meteorological stations at the sites. Future feasibility studies: • Future feasibility studies: o Key issues and concerns were highlighted which influence the feasibility of the final three sites. o A draft scope of works was developed for future pre-feasibility and feasibility studies of the final o A draft scope of works was developed for future pre-feasibility and feasibility studies of the final three sites. The scope of works includes the following key components: topographic survey, hydrological studies, geological and geotechnical investigations, environmental and social studies, transmission network connection, technical studies and financial and economic analyses. 8 Key learnings from study Key learnings relating to the study methodology include the following: • Data collection was very challenging in Nigeria and this remains a barrier to project planning. Formal • Data collection was very challenging in Nigeria and this remains a barrier to project planning. Formal requests should be sent well in advance and adequate time should be allowed to collect the relevant data. • The decision to include the identification of new sites in the study scope was fortuitous. Many of the existing sites were found to be no longer feasible due to land development and many new sites were identified which are very promising. Two of the final three sites are new sites. * * * - Multi-criteria analysis (MCA) was found to be a very effective approach to ensure that the retained sites align well with federal and state level master planning in areas such as generation capacity, transmission network, irrigation development, flood mitigation, river navigation and water supply. - MCA was found to be very useful to screen the initial inventory of 54 sites to the 12 shortlisted sites, but less useful at screening the 12 sites to the final three sites. When an inventory contains a manageable number of feasible sites, the screening process becomes more subjective and MCA less relevant. - The study team chose six criteria for the MCA: each criterion included one or more contributing factors. This approach was found to work well when the data quality is limited and/or highly variable across sites, as it allows qualitative, subjective assessment. When the data quality is good and consistent, a larger number of quantitative criteria would result in a more streamlined process with less subjectivity. - Workshops were held regularly throughout the study which facilitated collaboration amongst all stakeholders, understanding of the study scope and objectives and ownership of the study outputs. ## 8.2 Technical aspects of hydropower Key learnings relating to the technical aspects of hydropower in the study area include the following: - The accuracy of topographic data is very important during all phases of project development. Attempts were made to use high-quality satellite digital terrain models (DTM) which are commercially available but these were found to be inadequate in the study area. - Large hydropower projects on the main stem of the Niger River are no longer considered feasible. The most suitable sites are located at narrower river sections where significant population centres have developed due to their close proximity to the river. Immense spillways are required to pass the enormous flood discharges of the lower Niger River which are technically and operationally complex and prohibitively expensive. - The main stem of the Benue River and the largest left bank tributaries (the Donga, Katsina-Ala and Taraba rivers) provide the greatest hydropower potential in the study area. The abundant rainfall on the highlands produces good average annual inflows. - There are only a limited number of feasible large hydropower sites (> 100 MW) in the study area but a significant number of medium (20-100 MW) and small (< 100 MW) sites. - The large hydropower sites are generally located in the middle and lower reaches of the catchments where the rainfall and available head are lower but the average annual inflows and storage volumes are higher. The small and medium hydropower sites are generally located in the upper reaches of the catchments where the rainfall and available head are higher but the annual average inflows and storage volumes are lower. - Many of the sites are located on large rivers in wide valleys of low grade. During the wet season when inflows are highest, tailwater levels also increase significantly. This can have a significant effect on hydropower output and hence adequate topographic data downstream of the dam and hydraulic modelling of tailwater levels is required as part of future feasibility studies. - The Benue Trough is the dominant geological feature of the study area. Along the main stem of the Benue River and the lower reaches of the tributaries, very thick and permeable alluvial sediments overly the Basement Complex. These sediments pose increased geological risks for hydropower projects. - Geological investigations were unable to be performed as part of this study due to administrative and schedule constraints. Such investigations will be the key focus of future pre-feasibility studies. - The study area is located in a tropical climate with large variability between wet season and dry season inflows. Dry season power output is typically 15-20% of wet season output. Only very large storages such as BEN01 (Dasin Hausa) and TAR12 (Garin Dalli) significantly increase dry season flows downstream. - The high variability between wet season and dry season inflows strongly influences the selection of the plant factor and installed capacity. This choice is generally made on financial and economic criteria, but a better knowledge of the electricity demand and potential development of the region will help in the optimization process. - The tropical climate produces annual floods of very long durations and very large volumes across the study area. Even the very large storages (BEN01 and TAR12) provide limited flood mitigation benefits. - Future climate change risks were assessed within the study area but were found to be difficult to quantify with any confidence at this early phase of project planning. Much of the Benue River basin has a wet risk and the left bank tributaries of the Benue River have a stable to dry risk. The influence of climate change on project design should be assessed in more detail as part of future feasibility studies. - The transmission network is inadequate in the study area and hydropower development will provide additional generation capacity, reduce losses and improve power system stability. Where new transmission lines are required this will improve the capacity and redundancy of the network. ## 8.3 Hydropower development aspects in Nigeria Key learnings relating to hydropower development in Nigeria include the following: - Trans-border issues are very important for Nigeria. Development of MPPs on the Niger River upstream of Nigeria are expected to reduce inflows to Nigeria and hence reduce the annual generation from the Kainji and Jebba HPPs. Uncontrolled releases from Lagdo MPP in Cameroon contribute to flooding in Nigeria and the promising BEN01 (Dasin Hausa) site creates a reservoir which inundates areas adjacent to the Benue River in Cameroon between Garoua and the Nigerian border. The NBA’s role is to facilitate cooperation between Niger Basin countries in accordance with the _Niger Basin Water Charter_. - Hydropower development in Nigeria is necessarily complicated by multiple levels of governance and competing interests for the water resource. Key stakeholders include the NBA, FGN ministries, state government ministries, local governments and local land owners and users. Multipurpose developments may need to consider a combination of hydropower generation, environmental flows, irrigation demands, flood mitigation, water supply, fisheries and recreational uses. - Hydropower tariffs in Nigeria are adequate for small hydro up to 30 MW. Indications are that tariffs are satisfactory for medium and large hydro but more detailed discussions with wholesale power purchasers are necessary as part of future feasibility studies. - Of the 12 shortlisted sites, the sites on the main stems of the Niger and Benue Rivers have the highest social and environmental impacts. These sites were retained in the screening because they are of large installed capacity and are of particular interest to FGN. The MCA effectively identified many sites on the tributaries of the Benue River in Nigeria with much lower and manageable social and environmental impacts. - There are a number of areas of current social unrest in the study area. While this represents a development risk, stakeholders also highlighted that the positive impacts of project development has the potential to settle such unrest. - Stakeholders at all levels were very happy to be consulted as part of this study. The key issues raised during the consultations were: (1) the need to consult with state ministries on technical aspects, (2) socio- environmental concerns and the need for thorough ESIA, (3) the risk of poor reservoir operation increasing flood risks downstream and (4) the potential for unintended social and environmental impacts such as the migration of people and animals. # 9 Benefits of study to Nigeria This study has delivered significant benefits to Nigeria in terms of hydropower and water resources master planning in the study area: - Three sites have been recommended for short-term development with recommendations made for mitigation planning, baseline data collection activities and future feasibility studies. - The study completion report summarises the characteristics and multi-criteria scores for the 54 potential hydropower sites analysed over the course of this study. The report can be used by FGN as input to a hydropower development master plan for the Benue River basin, as well as to identify small hydropower sites which may be of interest to private developers. - Other study reports provide a wealth of valuable information relevant to hydropower and water resources development across the entire study area. This study had a comprehensive methodology which added significant value to the early phases of project planning. The involvement of counterpart staff and extensive consultation ensured that the study recommendations are widely understood and accepted by the relevant stakeholders. FGN in collaboration with NBA can now proceed to the next project planning phase with confidence knowing that the best three sites have been recommended for development in the short-term, and that an inventory of potential projects is available for development in the medium and long-term. * * * 10 Acknowledgements The authors wish to acknowledge all contributors to this study, including: TCN-PMU (client and nationa l implementation agency), NBA (regional implementation agency), counterpart staff (FGN ministries), Peter Rae (independent expert – Canada), Enviplan International (consultant – Nigeria), Tractebel Belgium (consultant – Belgium) and Prof David JIMOH (consultant – Nigeria). Approval to publish this paper was gratefully provided by TCN-PMU and NBA. Approval to publish this paper was gratefully provided by TCN-PMU and NBA. The Authors Gregg BARKER graduated in Civil and Environmental Engineering from the University of Adelaide (Australia) and in Geotechnical Engineering and Engineering Geology from the University of New South Wales (Australia). He has 16 years of experience working as a consultant in the hydropower and water industries, primarily in the fields of dams and geotechnical engineering. The countries in which he has worked include: Australia, Fiji, France, Gabon, Liberia, Malaysia, Nigeria, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Rwanda, Solomon Islands and the United States. He has worked on projects involving all aspects of the lifecycle of dams and hydropower structures including prefeasibility/concept design, feasibility design, investigations and approvals, tender design, detailed design, design liaison during construction, commissioning, operations and maintenance and decommissioning. Nathalie TOMCZAK graduated in Agronomy from the Toulouse Ecole Nationale Supérieure d'Agronomie (France). Nathalie Nathalie TOMCZAK graduated in Agronomy from the Toulouse Ecole Nationale Supérieure d'Agronomie (France). Nathalie has 25 years of experience, including 7 years overseas in Africa and Asia. She has been focusing for a decade on resettlement planning and implementation. Since 2008 she has been working on the social and environmental aspects of hydraulic and hydroelectric projects. She has recently prepared the resettlement and rehabilitation action plan for the Soubré hydropower project in Côte d’Ivoire and the Souapiti hydropower project in Guinea. Okechukwu AMOGU graduated in Civil Engineering from the Federal University of Technology of Minna (Nigeria) and in Okechukwu AMOGU graduated in Civil Engineering from the Federal University of Technology of Minna (Nigeria) and in Environmental Engineering from the University of Newcastle (United Kingdom). He also earned a doctorate degree for research on river sediment transport from the Joseph Fourier University in Grenoble (France). He has worked in various fields including water resources modelling, river hydrology, hydraulics and sediment transport. He is currently working as an engineering hydrologist on preliminary studies about the re-evaluation of flood discharges in Madagascar and as a hydrology and water resources engineer on preliminary studies including hydrological, climate change and sedimentation studies in Nigeria. Emilie LACROIX graduated in Agronomy from the National Institute of Agronomy of Paris-Grignon – National School of Emilie LACROIX graduated in Agronomy from the National Institute of Agronomy of Paris-Grignon – National School of Agronomy of Rennes and also holds a bachelor’s degree in Design Engineering from the University of Marne la Vallée – Paris Est (France). Her areas of expertise focus on the spatial analysis of territories, topography, satellite and aerial imagery and mapping specifically in the renewable energy sector. She is currently working as a GIS specialist on two projects based in Africa: detailed design of 16 sites of production of photovoltaic electricity in Algeria (developing local and regional maps for each site) and hydropower site screening in Nigeria (collecting data, managing the database, GIS analysis and topography). Patrick PICHAVANT graduated in Civil Engineering from Ecole Centrale de Lyon (France) and in Economics Sciences from Patrick PICHAVANT graduated in Civil Engineering from Ecole Centrale de Lyon (France) and in Economics Sciences from University of Lyon in 1970, then obtained a Master’s degree in Soils Mechanics at the University of California in Berkeley (USA). After teaching FEM applied to Soil Mechanics during four years at the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, he joined Coyne et Bellier in 1975 (now TF) where he got 41 years of experience in the dams engineering services. This experience has been developed mostly in France, Africa, Northern Africa, Middle East and Asia. He has a large experience of Nigeria where he worked on many projects including Kainji, Jebba, Shiroro, Zungeru, Gurara I, Gurara II, Lower Usuma.