Islamic Republic of Mauritania

Electrical Interconnection Between Nouakchott and Zouerate on 225 kV
Loan No: 645 Interest Rate: 2.0 %
Beneficiary: Société Mauritanienne d’Electricité (SOMELEC) Grace Period: 7 years
Project Cost: KD 88.7 million Maturity: 30 years
Amount of Loan: KD 42.0 million Repayment: 47 semi-annual installments
Date of Board Approval: 2017-07-10 First Installment: 7 years following the first disbursement
Date of Loan Agreement: 2017-07-10 Date of Loan Effectiveness: -

Objectives:

The project aims at providing secure and low cost energy to the northern region of the Islamic Republic of Mauritania, which has an abundance of minerals, and strengthening the transmission grid in it, through the construction of a 225 kV line interconnecting Nouakchott and Zouerate.

Description:

The project, which is expected to be completed by the end of 2020, includes the construction of 225 kV and 33 kV overhead lines from the city of Nouakchott to the city of Zouerate, passing through the cities of Akjoujt and Attar. The project also includes the expansion of an existing 225 kV substation in Nouakchott, the construction of new 225 kV substations in Akjoujt, Attar and Zouerate, and their connection to the existing corresponding substations in these cities, along with the provision of consultancy services required for the completion of the detailed designs and project supervision. The project consists of the following main components:

  1. Transmission Lines:
    1. 225 kV Transmission Line:This includes the construction of a 670 km double circuit transmission line from the substation connected to the northern power plant in Nouakchott to the city of Zouerate, passing through the cities of Akjoujt and Attar.
    2. 33 kV Transmission Line:This includes the construction of a 33 km double circuit transmission line from the new 225/33 kV Attar substation to the existing Attar substation.
  2. Substations:
    1. Expansion of the Substation Attached to the Northern Power Plant:This includes the addition of two 225 kV circuit breakers in the substation attached to the northern power plant, with all necessary measurement, protection and control equipment.
    2. Construction of New Substations:This includes the construction of three 225 kV substations in the cities of Akjoujt, Attar and Zouerate, and their connection to the existing corresponding substations in these cities.
  3. Consultancy Services:This includes the consultancy services required for the completion of the detailed designs and project supervision.
  1. 225 kV Transmission Line:This includes the construction of a 670 km double circuit transmission line from the substation connected to the northern power plant in Nouakchott to the city of Zouerate, passing through the cities of Akjoujt and Attar.
  2. 33 kV Transmission Line:This includes the construction of a 33 km double circuit transmission line from the new 225/33 kV Attar substation to the existing Attar substation.
  1. Expansion of the Substation Attached to the Northern Power Plant:This includes the addition of two 225 kV circuit breakers in the substation attached to the northern power plant, with all necessary measurement, protection and control equipment.
  2. Construction of New Substations:This includes the construction of three 225 kV substations in the cities of Akjoujt, Attar and Zouerate, and their connection to the existing corresponding substations in these cities.

Financing:

The Arab Fund’s loan covers about 47% of the total project cost. It is expected that the Saudi Fund for Development and the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development will contribute to the financing of the project with loans equivalent to about KD 30.3 million (about 34%) and KD 15 million (about 17%), respectively. The Mauritanian government will cover the remaining cost of the project and any additional cost that may arise.