15. WIND TURBINE OASIS

The wind turbine I ordered from France before leaving for Timbuktu arrived in Bamako. One month late. I must therefore leave my sick and go to the capital immediately to clear the material through customs and organise its transport to Timbuktu.

600 kg of iron and steel. 12 metres of pylons and a 3-metre diameter wheel. I bought the best, with all the options from Ecolab Energie. A ladder, a working platform, a ground wheel locking system, etc.

I’m really lucky because Tahara’s brother, Mulay Haidara, is an important customs officer and he helped me clear the material through customs in no time.

The bad surprise is that the wheel was damaged in transit. I am amazed that the manufacturer did not do any packaging for this important part of the machine.

The iron rods, which I had had painted at great expense, are not even minimally protected with a bit of cardboard and the paint is all damaged. I will have to explain how important packaging is in shipping to him.

At the very least I would have put wooden triangles between the spokes of the wheel to protect it from the shocks that are inevitable in this kind of transport. It’s very easy to do and inexpensive.

The manufacturer wanted to save money on packaging and now the problem of the repair is mine. I’m a bit worried.

I send all the material to Timbuktu by truck and put it into storage.