Senegal’s state utility Senelec has partnered with the Municipality of Sandiara to build the first high voltage substation in the country’s Special Economic Zone (SEZ): Sandiara.
According to Malick Guaye, First Deputy of the Municipality of Sandiara, in an exclusive interview with Energy Capital & Power, “this substation is very important for the future of Sandiara, and the President of Senegal came in person to impulse the project, as it will allow the development of heavy industry in the SEZ and create many job opportunities for the Senegalese.”
The substation, which will extend over six hectares, forms part of the program for the expansion, reinforcement and improvement of the reliability of the transmission and distribution network of Senelec. The function of the transmission network is to transport electricity at high voltage (90 and 225 kV) from power plants where it is generated to consumption centers.
With the town intending to bring in mineral processing and chemical manufacturing firms, as well as build a refinery, high voltage is required for those plants to function properly. The nearest high-voltage substation is currently located in Malicounda, 20km away from the SEZ.
The substation project is in line with Senegal’s ambitions to ensure universal access to electricity, as the government aims to provide quality electricity services in rural and peri-urban areas by upgrading its national transmission and distribution network, and to help the country achieve emergence by 2035.
Senelec aspires to be a high-performing and innovative public service provider, and has started several projects around the country. Key goals include the development of renewable energy sources, the reduction of losses, and the management of peak power demand. The strategy includes the implementation of Smart Grid technology, network strengthening, and service quality enhancement.
