From 2001 to 2004, GTZ (now GIZ) supported the Direction de l'Energie (DNE) within the Ministry of Energy in Mali (MMEE) in appraising a project aiming to integrate wind turbines into the diesel-fuelled isolated grid supplying the provincial capital city of Gao in the northeast of the country.

The results of wind measurements from March 2001 to October 2003 showed a relatively low wind potential. Mean wind velocities are 5.3 m/s at a height of 41 m and 4.7 m/s at a height of 26 m. Based on these measurements and with the assistance of DNE and the power utility Energie du Mali (EDM), GTZ undertook a technical and economic feasibility study. The study was finalised in July 2004 and showed a positive result. Total investment for a 900 kW wind farm is estimated at EUR 1,7 million. The relatively high level of feed-in tariffs that will be necessary for the wind turbine generating systems (roughly 18 €-cent/kWh) can be justified on economic grounds, however, as this is below the cost of diesel generation (at the time of the study: approx. 21 €-cent/kWh). The high cost of diesel is due above all to the expensive and lengthy transport route for the fuel. The study, though, worked on the assumption of an average crude oil price of USD 25 per barrel as applicable in 2004, so the costs of electricity generation from diesel in Gao are likely to be considerably higher in the meantime in the light of the oil price rises since then.

Taking into account the positive results of the feasibility study, the Government of Mali wishes to realise the project in Gao and is currently searching for investors and finance providers interested in implementing the project together with the utility EDM.

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