A Niger power company source revealed on Wednesday that Nigeria has severed its electricity supply to Niger after West African neighbors imposed sanctions on the junta that deposed the country’s elected leader last week.
“Since yesterday, Nigeria has disconnected the high-voltage line transporting electricity to Niger,” a source at Niger’s power company Nigelec told media.
According to Nigelec, Niger relies on Nigeria for 70 percent of its power needs, purchasing it from the Nigerian company Mainstream.
The electricity is generated by the Kainji Dam located in western Nigeria.
The capital, Niamey, has a local production source for electricity, but many districts experienced frequent power cuts even before the coup.
Niger aims to attain energy independence by constructing the Kandadji Dam on the Niger River, situated approximately 180 kilometers (110 miles) upstream from Niamey.
The Kandadji Dam is slated for completion in 2025, with a targeted annual capacity of 629 gigawatt-hours (GWh).
Niger consistently ranks among the poorest countries in the world, often positioned at the bottom of the UN’s Human Development Index, which serves as a benchmark of prosperity.