Context
SONELEC, the National Electricity Company of Comoros, is the national energy provider responsible for electricity generation, transmission, and distribution in the Union of Comoros. The country faces numerous structural challenges related to its electrical grid. On one hand, the existing infrastructure is already insufficient to meet current demand. On the other hand, electricity demand is continuously growing, diffused across the territory, with the added emergence of major connection projects for consumption, such as a hospital and a large-capacity tourist establishment. Concurrently, several generation projects, particularly ground-mounted photovoltaic farms, are under development. These developments will necessarily lead to a significant increase in flows that the current, already saturated, electrical grid cannot support.
Problem Statement
In this context, and given the significant financial and operational constraints SONELEC faces, rigorous network investment planning is essential in the very short term. SONELEC has thus initiated a process of modernizing, rationalizing, and optimizing its network design practices. To support this transformation, they enlisted the help of Roseau Technologies to assist in establishing a new internal organization, including the creation of a “network” study office. This office will be responsible for implementing new business processes based on new data and modern software tools.
Achievements
- Consulting for SONELEC on implementing its new organization and structuring the “network” study office.
- Assistance in building a geographical model and creating an electrical model of the distribution network.
- Provision of the Berenis simulation software and training for the study office on its use.
- Support for staff in carrying out initial studies: connection studies, prioritization of reinforcement works programming, and development of a master plan.
Impact
The project achieved its initial objectives: SONELEC implemented its new internal organization with the effective creation of the “network” study office, which adopted the Berenis software as its modeling and analysis tool. Furthermore, SONELEC now possesses a complete geographical and electrical model of its grid, allowing it to evaluate the impact of major ongoing projects, such as the new hospital in Moroni, and to inform its network investment choices. Beyond these anticipated results, the project also generated additional positive impacts. In particular, the new mapping database and the Berenis software proved useful to other SONELEC departments, notably the network operations department.
