ContourGlobal’s Togo project is reportedly the largest electricity investment ever made in the Republic of Togo. The tri-fuel 100MW project, expected to be operational at the end of 2009, will be powered by six Wartsila 18V50DF engines, each with a rating of 16.6MW.
These engines are capable of operating on natural gas, heavy fuel oil, and distillate diesel oil; permitting instantaneous fuel switching capability. The project will run on heavy fuel oil until natural gas becomes available via the West Africa Gas Pipeline.
The project is expected to produce over 780GWh of electricity, and will help the West African nation and the broader region overcome an electricity shortage that has resulted in rolling blackouts, inhibiting economic growth.
The Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC) is expected to provide up to $147 million in financing, and up to $62 million in insurance to ContourGlobal Togo for the construction and operation of the power plant.
ContourGlobal Togo has entered into a 25-year power purchase agreement, pursuant to which it will sell electricity generated by the plant to the Togolese electric distribution company, Compagnie Energie Electrique du Togo.
Joseph Brandt, CEO of ContourGlobal, stated We are very pleased to have reached this significant milestone in our electricity generation project in Togo and thank OPIC for their dedication and hard work. This innovative project is the largest generation investment in West Africa in over a decade and will catalyze economic growth and improve health and opportunity in Togo and within the region.
