The data presented in this section show the current organization set up by the Kingdom of Morocco for the management of the electricity network in the Sahara region, as well as the infrastructure in these provinces since their recovery by the motherland.
The development strategy in the power sector adopted by the Kingdom of Morocco in 5 provinces (Laayoune, Boujdour, Smara, Dakhla and Aousserd) consists of the implementation of regular and planned investments, in order to strongly support the development of these regions.
Photo of the city of Laayoune at dusk
Organization of Services in charge of Electricity:
In order to undertake production tasks, transmission and distribution of electrical energy at the Sahara region, the following units were introduced:
Production Sector: it is represented by a gas turbine division, based in Laayoune and managing 6 power stations (power stations of Laayoune, Smara, Tarfaya, Boujdour, Dakhla and Aousserd) and fishing site generators.
Transport Sector: The management of energy transmission (225 KV and 60 KV) and THT/HT posts is provided by an operation service based in Laayoune.
Distribution Sector: It is organized into technical service agencies and two distribution agencies:
The regional technical service based in Laayoune, manages the HV / MV, MT lines and MV / LV posts.
Dakhla distribution agency includes Dakhla Trade Agency.
In order to accompany the strong development of the electricity sector in the Sahara region, a regional branch in charge of electricity was founded in Laayoune. It manages the transmission and distribution networks as well as the commercial management of high, medium and low voltage customers across the Sahara region.
Map illustratinf electrical network:
Resources and Current Infrastructure:
Human Resources:
Technical Infrastructure:
. Production Means:
. Transport Means:
Distribution Means:
Evolution in the number of customers and consumption in the Sahara Region:
The consumption, in MWH, of customers supplied with medium and low voltage in the Sahara region moved from 19,915 in 1985 to 211,650 in 2006, an increase of: 963%.
Achievements in the fiels of electrical Infrastructure
Achievements from 1967 to 2006 (Details below)
Achievements in the Distribution Sector 2007-2008 : (Details below)
Development Perspectives in the Sahara Region
Transport Network Development
It is worth mentioning that within the framework of the actions undertaken by the Kingdom of Morocco to strengthen electricity supply in the region of the Sahara, whose demand is increasing, a number of plans to expand the national network in these regions were carried out over the past decade, namely:
• The connection of Laayoune City in 1997;
• The connection of Smara City in 2000;
• The connection of Boujdour City in 2003.
In addition and in order to provide power in those cities, the department in charge of electricity transfered gas turbines from Tan-Tan to Laayoune with a production capacity of 3x33 MW.
The first unit of 33 MW is already transferred to Laayoune and is being tested while the transfer of the two others will be completed during the fall of 2007. In addition, as part of the extension of the national network to the all the Sahara region, it is planned to conduct a 400 kV line, 1200 km long, linking the cities of Agadir and Dakhla.
This great electricity project aims to meet three main objectives, namely:
• Compliance with the growing demand for electricity in the region;
• Provide power security for the cities in the region and improve service quality;
• Enhance wind energy available in the Sahara region, particularly in Tarfaya, Laayoune and Dakhla by connecting these future wind farms to the national network.
The commissioning of the project is scheduled for 2011.
Supply of Dakhla City
The city of Dakhla will be requiring high growth in power consumption, mainly due to the electrification of ESSALAM industrial zone as well as connection requests to customers’ power network (citizens).
To meet this growth, and connect this town to the national electricity network, the department responsible for electricity is considering ways to strengthen Dakhla power plant by two diesel groups whose power amounts to 7 MW each.
Tarfaya Wind Farm
Tarfaya region has a significant wind energy potential that can generate 600 MW.
Under the 1000 MW wind power initiative, launched by the Kingdom of Morocco in order to diversify production and exploitation sources of national energy resources, it was decided to develop this region in a wind farm which can attain 200 MW.
The site of this plant, covering an area of 6000 hectares, is located in the ADDWIKHIA region 2 km south of the city of Tarfaya on the Atlantic coast along the road linking Tarfaya and Laayoune.
A request to express interest about this project under a PPA contract was launched in February 2007 and expected to enter into service by 2010.
Laayoune Wind Farm:
Under the EnergiPro initiative proposed to manufacturers to encourage them develop production means based on renewable energy for their self-consumption, ENDESA IBERDROLA Spanish investors plan to create two 100 MW wind farms, whose electricity production will be used for consumption of industrial customers in Morocco.
Similarly, Agadir Cement plant plans to conduct, within the same initiative, a wind farm of 40 MW in Laayoune, intended to supply its plant in Agadir.
Partnership between the Kingdom of Morocco and Mauritania
The capital investment in production facilities and the significant increase in the demand for electricity in the electrical Moroccans and Mauritanians systems are a major challenge to ensure economic development of both countries.
Also, within the framework of strategic partnership between the entities in charge of electricity in both countries, the ONE in the Kingdom of Morocco and SOMELEC in Mauritania, a joint working group was formed to review integration opportunities of the two electric markets to take advantage of possible synergies between the two electrical systems in terms of infrastructure development and electricity transmission.
The electric interconnection between the two systems is a necessary precondition to the attainment of an integrated electricity market between the Kingdom of Morocco and Mauritania. Indeed, the implementation of this interconnectivity will promote electricity trade between the two countries and reduce production costs of existing and planned plants in both countries.
Platform for Global Investment Services in charge of Electricity in the Sahara Region (2007-2010)
The investment programme for the period 2007-2010 includes production works (hydro, thermal, wind), the development of the transportation system (evacuations of energy production, extension of 400 kV, 225 kV and 60 kV, realization of the optical fibre network and the National Dispatching), extension of the distribution network (extending and reinforcing the network, regional commercial…), the completion of the rural electrification program and alternative investments.
Details of these investments is shown in the annexes below (in MAD).
Appendix A: Details of projects in the Sahara Region between 1976 and 2006
|
PROVINCE |
DESIGNATION DE L'OUVRAGE |
COUT DU PROJET
( MDH ) |
SOURCE DE FINANCEMENT |
ANNEE
DE REALISATION |
|
L
A
Â
Y
O
U
N
E
|
Aménagement et renforcement de l’ex-centrale de LAÂYOUNE |
13,2 |
ONE |
1979 |
|
Aménagement du réseau MT 6KV avec postes de transformation et le réseau de l’EP à LAÂYOUNE |
60 |
ONE |
1982 |
|
Construction de la nouvelle centrale thermique de LAÂYOUNE |
220 |
ONE |
1988 |
|
Aménagement et construction du réseau MT à LAÂYOUNE |
30 |
ONE |
1988 |
|
Electrification du centre d’EL MARSA |
8 |
ONE |
1988 |
|
Electrification du centre de FOUM EL OUED |
4 |
ONE |
1988 |
|
Construction des logements de fonction pour le personnel et le bâtiment administratif à LAÂYOUNE |
30 |
ONE |
1988 |
|
Renforcement de la puissance à la centrale de TARFAYA |
6 |
ONE |
1994 |
|
Construction des locaux d'exploitation à LAÂYOUNE |
6,2 |
ONE |
1995 |
|
Construction des locaux d'exploitation à TARFAYA |
2 |
ONE |
1995 |
|
Aménagement du réseau et postes de transformation et réfection des branchements particuliers à LAÂYOUNE |
23,5 |
ONE |
1995 |
|
Electrification du centre AKHFENIR |
2 ,6 |
PNER* II |
1995 |
|
Electrification du centre DAOURA |
2 |
PNER II |
1995 |
|
Electrification des centres DCHIRA et EL HAGOUNIA |
1,55 |
PNER II |
1997 |
|
Electrification de la zone des fermes à FOUM EL OUED |
1,4 |
ONE |
1997 |
|
Electrification des quartiers AL WAHDA et AL QUODS à LAÂYOUNE |
6,8 |
PERG** |
1997 |
|
Raccordement de la ville de LAÂYOUNE au réseau national |
200 |
ONE |
1997 |
|
Aménagement du réseau 2°/1° catégorie de la première tranche du campement EL WAHDA à LAÂYOUNE |
1,5 |
ONE |
1998 |
|
Electrification du centre de BOUCRAA |
0,65 |
ONE |
1998 |
|
Aménagement du réseau 1° catégorie du centre
EL MARSA et zone balnéaire de FOUM EL OUED |
0,6 |
ONE |
1999 |
|
Réfection des branchements et sortie de 2100 compteurs BT à LAÂYOUNE |
2,30 |
ONE |
1999 |
|
Aménagement du poste de transformation Mle 8619-27AC à LAÂYOUNE
|
0,23 |
ONE |
1999 |
* PNER : National Programme of Rural Electrification
** PERG : Rural General Electrification Programme
|
PROVINCE |
DESIGNATION DE L'OUVRAGE |
COUT DU PROJET
( MDH ) |
SOURCE DE FINANCEMENT |
ANNEE
DE REALISATION |
|
L
A
Â
Y
O
U
N
E
|
Aménagement du réseau MT/BT du quartier ATTAOUNE à LAÂYOUNE |
0,39 |
ONE |
1999 |
|
Aménagement du réseau MT/BT du quartier Mly RACHID à LAÂYOUNE |
1,12 |
ONE |
1999 |
|
Aménagement du réseau MT/BT et postes de transformation à TARFAYA |
0,64 |
ONE |
1999 |
|
Electrification 2°/1°catégorie du quartier 707 extension à LAÂYOUNE |
1,3 |
PERG |
2000 |
|
Rabattement de la ligne principale à 22KV de l’ONEP au poste 60/22KV de LAÂYOUNE |
0,49 |
ONE |
2000 |
|
Aménagement de la 2° tranche du réseau de la ville de TARFAYA |
0,47 |
ONE |
2000 |
|
Aménagement d’un câble MT souterrain d’une longueur de 0,6 Km environ à LAÂYOUNE |
0,03 |
ONE |
2000 |
|
Sur isolement et lutte contre la corrosion des lignes à 225Kv de l’artère du sud |
5,8 |
ONE |
2004 |
|
Construction d’un nouveau poste 60/22Kv d’une puissance de 2x10MVA et création de deux départs MT à 22Kv issu de ce poste |
10,65 |
ONE |
2005 |
|
Réalisation des ouvrages THT et HT pour l’évacuation de l’énergie de la nouvelle centrale à TAG de Laâyoune |
7,2 |
ONE |
2006 |
|
Aménagement de deux lignes à 22KV de Laâyoune Port |
1,7 |
ONE |
2006 |
|
Installation des OCR sur les réseaux MT de STRL |
1,1 |
ONE |
2006 |
|
B
O
U
J
D
O
U
R |
Equipement d’une centrale thermique par deux GE de 200 KVA chacun |
4 |
ONE |
1979 |
|
Construction de 6 Km de branchement |
1 |
ONE |
1985 |
|
Renforcement de la centrale par deux GE de 500 KVA chacun |
2,5 |
ONE |
1990 |
|
Construction et équipement de la centrale thermoélectrique neuve par 4 GE de 950 KVA |
80 |
ONE |
1994 |
|
Construction de 5300 m de ligne électrique MT, 13200 m de ligne électriques B.T., et de 10200 m de branchements ; construction et équipement de 4 postes de transformation |
6,5 |
ONE |
1994 |
|
Electrification des quartiers LALLA MARYEM, EL KHAIR, et MLY RACHID |
2,3 |
PERG |
1998 |
|
Electrification des quartiers ESSALAM- AL WAHDA- ALLAL BEN ABDELLAH- ELKHAIR- et MY HASSAN BEN EL MEHDI |
3,85 |
PERG |
1999 |
|
PROVINCE |
DESIGNATION DE L'OUVRAGE |
COUT DU PROJET
( MDH ) |
SOURCE DE FINANCEMENT |
ANNEE
DE REALISATION |
|
B
O
U
J
D
O
U
R
|
Raccordement de la ville de Boujdour au réseau national |
150 |
ONE |
2003 |
|
Electrification 2°/1° catégorie du site de pêche de Lakraa |
1,5 |
ONE |
2004 |
|
Electrification 2°/1° catégorie du site de pêche de Sidi El Ghazi |
5,3 |
ONE |
2005 |
|
Electrification 2°/1° des quartiers péri-urbains Prince Sidi Mohammed, Ennada et Lalla Meryem |
1,5 |
ONE |
2005 |
|
Construction d’un nouveau poste 60/22Kv d’une puissance de 2x10MVA à Boujdour |
24,37 |
ONE |
2006 |
|
S
M
A
R
A
|
Equipement de la centrale thermique par 4 GE de 200 KVA chacun |
20 |
ONE |
1978 |
|
Construction de 2 Km de lignes MT, 3 postes de transformation et 4 Km de lignes B.T. |
5 |
ONE |
1978 |
|
Construction et équipement de la nouvelle centrale thermique par 4 GE de 510 Kva chacun |
30 |
ONE |
1987 |
|
Renforcement de la centrale thermique de 3 GE de 720 Kva chacun |
15 |
ONE |
1990 |
|
Réfection des réseaux de distribution des lignes MT et B.T. et construction des P.T. |
16 |
ONE |
1991 |
|
Renforcement de la centrale thermique par une centrale mobile d’une puissance de 600 Kva chacun |
14 |
ONE |
1996 |
|
Renforcement de la centrale thermique par une centrale mobile d’une puissance de 600 Kva chacun |
14 |
ONE |
1995 |
|
Renforcement des postes dans la centrale thermique |
2 |
ONE |
1996 |
|
Electrification du lotissement ESSALAM |
4,09 |
PERG |
1999 |
|
Aménagement du réseau du quartier TANTAN |
0,41 |
ONE |
2000 |
|
Raccordement du réseau 2° catégorie de SMARA au poste 60/22 Kv |
4,71 |
ONE |
2000 |
|
Raccordement de la ville de SMARA au réseau national |
60 |
ONE |
2000 |
|
AOUSSERD |
Electrification 2°/1° catégorie de la ville d’AOUSSERD |
2,08 |
ONE |
1999 |
|
Construction de la centrale Diesel de la ville d’AOUSSERD |
3,61 |
ONE |
1999 |
|
PROVINCE |
DESIGNATION DE L'OUVRAGE |
COUT DU PROJET
( MDH ) |
SOURCE DE FINANCEMENT |
ANNEE
DE REALISATION |
|
D
A
K
H
L
A
|
Aménagement de la centrale thermique et son renforcement par des groupes électrogènes d’une puissance de 1750 KVA |
17 |
ONE |
1979 |
|
Renforcement de la centrale thermique par trois groupes électrogènes d’une puissance de 700 KVA chacun |
20 |
ONE |
1983 |
|
Construction d’une nouvelle centrale équipée de trois groupes de 1200 KVA |
35 |
ONE |
1988 |
|
Renforcement de la centrale thermique par trois groupes électrogènes d’une puissance de 1460 KVA chacun |
53 |
ONE |
1992 |
|
Aménagement du réseau MT et BT et 10 postes de transformation MT/BT |
14 |
ONE |
1994 |
|
Electrification du centre de TAWARTA |
1 |
PNER II |
1996 |
|
Renforcement et aménagement d’un poste de transformation MT/BT |
0 ,26 |
ONE |
1998 |
|
Electrification 2°/1° catégorie du lotissement ESSALAM |
5,5 |
PERG |
1998 |
|
|
1,13 |
ONE |
1999 |
|
Aménagement d’une ligne MT et réfection des branchements particuliers au trois postes de transformation MT/BT |
0,74 |
ONE |
1999 |
|
Raccordement des campements C1 et C2 au réseau 2°catégorie de la ville de DAKHLA |
0,9 |
ONE |
1999 |
|
Construction d’une nouvelle centrale thermique d’une puissance installée de 3x7MW à DAKHLA |
218 |
ONE |
2001 |
|
Passage en 22 KV du réseau 2° catégorie de la ville DAKHLA |
1,261 |
ONE |
2001 |
Annexe B : Details of projects planned or under way in the Sahara region
|
PROVINCE |
DESIGNATION DE L'OUVRAGE |
COUT DU PROJET
( MDH ) |
SOURCE DE FINANCEMENT |
ANNEE
DE REALISATION |
|
L
A
Â
Y
O
U
N
E
|
Construction d’une Centrale à Turbines à Gaz d’une puissance globale de 150MW |
1140 |
ONE |
2007 |
|
Aménagement des tronçons de câble MT souterrains vétustes d’une longueur de 11Km à la ville de Laâyoune |
5,1 |
ONE |
2007 |
|
Création de 5 nouveaux postes MT/BT pour soulagement des postes existants à Laâyoune |
3,324 |
ONE |
2007 |
|
Renforcement de la puissance installée au poste 60/22/30Kv de Foum El Oued |
9,03 |
ONE |
2007 |
|
Réhabilitation des protections dans les postes sources de Laâyoune, Foum El Oued et Smara |
3 |
ONE |
2007 |
|
Remplacement des DDS défectueux des postes MT/BT du STR Laâyoune |
0,4 |
ONE |
2007 |
|
Raccordement au réseau 22Kv, de la ville de Tarfaya, des communes Tah, Douara et Akhfenir |
57 |
ONE |
2008 |
|
Aménagement des tronçons de câbles MT torsadés souterrains à Laâyoune & Passage en souterrain du tronçon de ligne MT Mle 9455-32AH et Mle 8617-25Z à Laâyoune |
1 |
ONE |
2008 |
|
Aménagement de l'artère principale entre les PT Mle 9738-36AM et Mle 88003-118DV à Laâyoune & la ligne des fermes issue du départ Zone balnéaire de Foum El oued |
2,30 |
ONE |
2008 |
|
Acquisition de 4 protections numérique communicantes pour CI et CIII |
0,5 |
ONE |
2008 |
|
SMARA |
Installation de 2TR de2*10MVA à Smara |
1,5 |
ONE |
2008 |
|
DAKHLA |
Electrification Z.I. Essalam DAKHLA |
2,134 |
ONE |
2007 |
Source : Office National d'Electricité (2007).