• SNIM commissions 12 MW solar and 30 MW thermal plants in Tiris Zemmour

• New facilities support mining operations and power Zouerate and F’derick

• Solar addition aligns with SNIM’s decarbonization strategy under EU CBAM

Mauritania’s state-owned mining company SNIM has commissioned two new power plants in the northern Tiris Zemmour region. The facilities are intended to ensure reliable electricity supply for the company’s operations as well as for the towns of Zouerate and F'derick.

The inauguration of a 12 MW solar plant and a 30 MW thermal plant coincided with the president’s visit for the 65th Independence Day celebrations. The solar plant, financed by SNIM for 10.7 million dollars, includes 21,840 photovoltaic panels rated at 550 W and 34 inverters. The thermal plant, which cost 56.4 million euros, consists of three 10 MW units, three distribution substations, two 33 kV lines and storage installations totaling 3,000 cubic meters.

SNIM, which is majority-owned by the Mauritanian state, is the country’s leading mining producer. It produced more than 14 million tons in 2024 and manages the energy supply for its sites while also providing electricity to local communities. Its existing thermal plants have a combined capacity of 100 MW, complemented by 19.4 MW of solar and wind power.

The company is pursuing a decarbonization strategy to stay competitive under new regulations, including the European Union’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), which requires lower carbon footprints for products exported to Europe.

The new solar plant increases the share of clean energy available and supports this strategy, while the thermal plant will meet rising demand driven by mining activity and the needs of surrounding communities.

Abdoullah Diop