AES : Member countries announce construction of nuclear power plant by 2034
The national electricity companies of the member countries of the Sahel States Alliance (AES) convened for three days to discuss strategies for securing the supply of electrical energy. The meeting took place on Tuesday, February 20, 2024, in Ouagadougou under the theme, « What strategies to secure the supply of electrical energy for AES member countries ? »
It was an opportunity for experts from the national electricity companies of AES member countries to propose strategies for securing the supply of electrical energy for the Sahel States Alliance (AES).
According to Hawa Teguete Dembélé of EDM SA/Mali (Energy of Mali), these strategies are based on the valorization of endogenous fossil production resources, to be implemented with high voltage transmission lines for evacuation and interconnection, as well as the definition of appropriate mechanisms for a distribution and commercialization system.
Ultimately, the goal is to have a nuclear power plant in the AES region by the year 2034. In the meantime, one of the actions is to construct and commission, before the year 2028, a coal-fired power plant in Salkadamna with a capacity of at least 600 MW, with the collaboration of the other two countries, and the 330 kV Salkadamna-Niamey transmission line. Additionally, this project will lead to the construction of a pipeline connecting Niger to Mali and then to Burkina Faso.
According to the Director-General of Sonabel, numerous infrastructures are planned as part of these discussions, and they will have the capacity to supply electricity beyond national borders. Taking the example of the Salkadamna coal-fired power plant, Souleymane Ouédraogo specified that it has a capacity of 600 MW while the current needs of Niger are less than 300 MW.
« With this power plant, we will be able to transport energy to Burkina Faso and Mali. There are also large-scale solar power plants that will be developed in Burkina Faso. These power plants, with very high capacities, will be able to supply both Niger and Mali », he said.
In his statement, Souleymane Ouédraogo further emphasized the need to « strengthen energy cooperation in our Sahelian region » in the face of a socio-political environment undergoing significant changes.
To implement these projects, experts from the national electricity companies of AES member countries made recommendations, including the establishment of a monitoring unit. Furthermore, they proposed coordination that would evolve in the medium term into a permanent secretariat, and in the long term into an electrical community of AES.
The experts also recommended harmonizing national regulations in the three countries to promote energy efficiency and encourage energy savings among end consumers. The final recommendation is the implementation of a tariff policy within AES.
