Mauritania's national electricity company, Somlec, has confirmed that it documented a spark on an insulator at its northern power station in July. According to documents obtained by an independent news agency, the spark occurred on the 33-kilovolt connection line at the station. Somlec took immediate action, restricting power transmission through the station to prevent potential damage.
The spark was detected on an insulator at the station's cell connection, specifically on the 2nd cutting line. Somlec attributed the spark to a faulty insulator and quickly assessed the situation. The company decided to outsource maintenance work to a specialized firm, citing urgency and a lack of in-house expertise for replacing insulators.
On July 31, Somlec awarded a contract to Lab Transfo, a company described as having "confirmed experience in this field." The contract, valued at 2.205 million ouguiyas, required Lab Transfo to begin repairs immediately. The work involved replacing faulty insulators to prevent potential power outages or accidents.
Despite Somlec's efforts to address the issue, a fire broke out at the northern power station on August 22, located in Tferg Zine district of western Nouakchott. The incident occurred just 24 hours after a similar fire at the eastern power station in Tougnin district of northern Nouakchott. The cause of the fires has not been officially determined.
The northern power station fire has raised concerns about the reliability and safety of Mauritania's power infrastructure. Somlec's decision to outsource maintenance work has been questioned, given the company's claims of urgency and expertise. An investigation into the cause of the fire is expected to shed more light on the circumstances surrounding the incident.
The impact of the fire on Mauritania's power supply is still being assessed. The country's energy sector has faced challenges in recent years, with frequent power outages affecting households and businesses. Somlec has assured the public that it is working to restore power supply as soon as possible.
The government has promised to investigate the cause of the fire and take measures to prevent similar incidents in the future. The incident has highlighted the need for investment in Mauritania's power infrastructure to ensure a reliable and safe energy supply for the country's growing population.
Key points
- Somlec documented a spark on an insulator at its northern power station in July, weeks before it burned down.
- The company outsourced maintenance work to Lab Transfo, citing urgency and a lack of in-house expertise.
- The fire has raised concerns about the reliability and safety of Mauritania's power infrastructure.
