Project overview
In August 2020, Kutehjumble Electrical was engaged by a private client in Gunjur Kachumeh to carry out the installation of a 50 kVA distribution transformer and an extension of the Low Voltage (LV) line serving the property. The project was planned and executed in strict accordance with the rules and technical standards set by the National Water and Electricity Company (NAWEC) of The Gambia, ensuring that the new transformer and extended network were safe, compliant, and ready for energisation without issue.
From application and NAWEC coordination through to transformer mounting, LV line stringing, and final energisation, Kutehjumble managed every phase of this project — delivering a reliable, standards-compliant power supply upgrade to the client’s property at Gunjur Kachumeh.
What was installed
50 kVA transformer
Distribution transformer
A 50 kVA step-down distribution transformer was supplied and installed to receive Medium Voltage (MV) power from the NAWEC grid and convert it to the Low Voltage (LV) level required for the client’s premises. Properly sized at 50 kVA, the unit provides adequate capacity for the customer’s current and projected electrical load at Gunjur Kachumeh.
LV line extension
Low voltage line extension
A new LV overhead line was extended from the transformer to serve the client’s supply point. The extension involved pole erection, conductor stringing, and proper termination — ensuring the power path from the transformer to the consumer was correctly installed, tensioned, and protected in line with NAWEC’s LV network standards.
Scope of work
- NAWEC application & approval — Preparation and submission of the required NAWEC application documentation for the transformer installation and LV line extension, and coordination to obtain formal approval before commencing works.
- Site survey & design — Survey of the Gunjur Kachumeh site to determine the optimal transformer location, pole positions, and LV line route, with load calculations performed to confirm 50 kVA as the appropriate transformer rating.
- Pole erection — Concrete poles were erected at the required positions along the LV line extension route, set to NAWEC-specified depths and alignment for structural stability.
- Transformer mounting — The 50 kVA transformer was mounted on the pole or structure as specified, with proper cross-arms, bracing, and earthing arrangements installed in accordance with NAWEC requirements.
- LV conductor stringing — Low voltage conductors were strung from the transformer to the client’s supply point along the new pole line, tensioned correctly and secured with approved fittings and insulator hardware.
- Earthing & protection — Earth electrode systems were installed at the transformer and along the LV line, with surge protection and fusing arranged per NAWEC’s network protection standards.
- Consumer service connection — The service cable from the LV line was terminated at the client’s metering point and connected ready for NAWEC’s meter installation and final energisation.
- Testing, inspection & energisation — All installations were tested and inspected prior to energisation. NAWEC’s formal inspection was completed and the transformer and LV line were energised, commissioning the supply to the client.
NAWEC compliance
The entire project was designed and executed in full compliance with the technical standards, safety requirements, and connection procedures of the National Water and Electricity Company (NAWEC) of The Gambia. All materials used met NAWEC’s approved specifications, and the installation was subject to NAWEC’s formal inspection before energisation was authorised. This ensures the transformer and LV line extension form a safe, approved, and permanent part of the national distribution network.
Key installation activities
NAWEC liaison
Application, approvals, inspections, and formal energisation coordinated directly with NAWEC on the client’s behalf.
Transformer installation
50 kVA unit mounted, terminated, earthed, and protected to NAWEC’s pole-mounted transformer standards.
Pole erection
Concrete poles set along the approved LV extension route at correct spacing and planting depth.
LV line stringing
Conductors strung, tensioned, and terminated along the full length of the LV line extension.
Earthing systems
Earth electrodes, bonding conductors, and surge protection installed at transformer and line positions.
Energisation & handover
NAWEC inspection passed, transformer energised, and supply formally handed over to the satisfied client.
Project at a glance
About the location
Gunjur Kachumeh is a community in the West Coast Region of The Gambia. As residential and commercial development grows across communities like Gunjur, demand for dedicated transformer connections and extended LV infrastructure has increased significantly. Projects such as this one — where Kutehjumble installs customer-owned transformers and extends the LV network to serve new premises — play a vital role in bringing reliable, metered electricity supply to properties that previously lacked adequate grid capacity.
