The construction of the ?bagasse-coal? power station in Savannah should start in about one week. The centralisation in Savannah of two sugar factories in the South (Riche-en-Eau and Mon Désert Mon Trésor are closing down next year) is also associated with the biggest power station of this type in the Indian Ocean region.

The Rs 3 billion mega-contract has been allocated to Sotramon, which will benefit from the expertise of French firm, Séchilienne-SIDEC, the world leader in the design and building of such power stations. It was signed last week by Sotramon?s chief executive, Gérard Chasteau de Balyon, and the chairman of the Compagnie Thermale de Savannah, Jacques d?Unienville.

This power station will be the biggest one in the country to be built in one go. It will consist of two production lines of 45 MW each while the biggest capacity at present is of 70 MW. Sotramon?s chief executive insists that the company is not skimping on finances. Gérard Chasteau de Balyon explains that his company has invested in a modern workshop (Rs 100 million), the takeover of Maxworks Ltd in Montebello and the purchase of a 400-ton handling crane. Around 600 workers, including 50 foreign skilled welders, will be engaged in the building of the new factory. The board chairman, Pierre Ah Sue, has gone to Singapore to finalise the purchase of equipment.

The aim of Sotramon is not to impress but just to show its partners that it is doing everything to reach its goal, that is,to build the best power station ever. Sotramon is also engaged in the building of the St-Aubin coal power station, which should be ready by the last quarter of the year and will sell 30MW to the Central Electricity Board.