Islamic Republic of Mauritania

Construction of a 30 MW Wind Farm in Nouakchott
Loan No: 590 Interest Rate: 2.5 %
Beneficiary: SOMELEC Grace Period: 7 years
Project Cost: KD 17.3 million Maturity: 25 years
Amount of Loan: KD 14.0 million Repayment: 37 semi-annual installments
Date of Board Approval: 2013-02-04 First Installment: 7 years following the first disbursement
Date of Loan Agreement: 2013-02-04 Date of Loan Effectiveness: 2013-02-06

Objectives:

The project aims at meeting the increasing demand for power and energy in the city of Nouakchott and its suburbs, without using fossil fuel. This will be accomplished through the construction of a 30 MW wind farm in the city, and connecting it to the local transmission network.

Description:

The project, which is expected to be completed in the second quarter of 2015, includes the supply and installation of low voltage (LV) wind turbines, with a total capacity of 30 MW, and transformers to raise the generated voltage to 33 kV, the construction of a 33 kV substation, the laying of 33 kV cables to connect the generating units to the substation, and the substation to the 33 kV local transmission network, along with the provision of the necessary consultancy services and institutional support. The project includes the following main components:

  1. Wind Farm:
    1. Turbines: This includes the supply and installation of 15 wind turbines, each rated at 2 MW, and 15 transformers from LV to 33 kV.
    2. Local Civil Works: This includes the construction of tower footings, buildings and an internal road network. .
    3. Electrical Works: This includes the supply and installation of a 33 kV substation containing measurement, protection and control equipment, and laying of 33 kV cables to connect the turbines to the substation. .
    4. Electrical Interconnection Works: This includes the laying of 33 kV cables between the wind farm and each of the Arafat substation and the West substation, in order to connect the wind farm to the local transmission network. .
  2. Consultancy Services: This includes providing the consultancy services necessary to assist SOMELEC in contractual procedures, review of design drawings, project supervision, equipment witness testing and project acceptance.
  3. Institutional Support: This includes training of SOMELEC employees and conducting studies, in addition to the acquisition, delivery and installation of computers, systems and printers.

Financing:

The Arab Fund’s loan covers about 81% of the total project cost. The Mauritanian Government will cover the remaining cost of the project and any additional cost that may arise.