Senegal facing “unprecedented” power cuts- sources
May 28, 2007
By Diadie Ba
DAKAR, May 17 (Reuters) – A wave of power cuts in Senegal could
reach "unprecedented" levels as the West African state has a maximum of
eight days of fuel left to run its power plants, energy sector sources
said on Thursday. Power shortages across the poor country of 11 million
people have steadily increased in recent years due to rising
consumption, high fuel prices and a cash crunch at the state-run
electricity company, Senelec.
Many neighbourhoods of the breezy coastal capital Dakar have
recently suffered 10-hour power cuts several times a week, disrupting
local businesses unable to afford their own generators and undermining
Senegal’s image as one of West Africa’s most developed countries.
Blackouts tend to worsen during the steamy June-October rainy
season, when energy use climbs dramatically due to air conditioning
while the wet weather hampers infrastructure.
"There is only enough fuel to cover eight days of consumption in
the country," a senior energy sector executive, who asked not to be
identified, told Reuters.
"We have crossed the red line. If an urgent measure is not taken in
the coming hours, Senegal will face unprecedented power cuts."
Senegalese officials declined to comment on the issue.
However, other energy sector sources said fuel supplies would not
cover even eight days. A Senelec official, who asked not to be
identified, said the "situation is really worrying".
Last September, Senegal, which has no crude oil production of its
own, ordered oil firms including Royal Dutch Shell, Total and Exxon
Mobil to sell their stocks of diesel to Senelec to run its oil-fired
power stations.
Like many African countries, Senegal has suffered long-term
underinvestment and neglect of its power infrastructure, hampering its
economic development despite one of the region’s most stable
democracies since independence from France in 1960.
President Abdoulaye Wade, re-elected in February at polls dismissed
by opponents as flawed, has contacted foreign experts to advise on
building a nuclear power plant — part of an ambitious programme to
overhaul the country’s infrastructure.
Together with Guinea, Gambia and Guinea-Bissau, Senegal is also
planning two hydro-electric power plants on the Gambia river, which
would enter operation by 2012.
Wade has called on oil companies to invest more in fighting poverty
in Africa. Senelec owes local oil companies more than 20 billion CFA
francs ($41.24 million) and they will now only deliver if paid in cash.
"The company (Senelec) has to buy fuel in cash from oil companies,"
said Daniel Sarr, union leader at Senelec. "This is unacceptable. We
need fuel to be given to us and we pay later."
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