Wartsila, which supplies power plants for the decentralized power generation market, has secured a contract to supply a 100MW power plant to be installed in Ewekoro, approximately 70km from Lagos, Nigeria.
According to the company, the order, which was signed in December 2008, has been placed by Lafarge Cement WAPCO Nigeria, a manufacturer and marketer of cement in Nigeria. The company is a subsidiary of Lafarge of France.
The new power plant will comprise six Wartsila 18V50DF engines that can operate on either heavy fuel oil (HFO), light fuel oil (LFO) or gas. The turnkey project will supply electricity to Lafarge WAPCO’s existing cement works, as well as to its new cement plant currently under construction.
Wartsila said that, the new order, together with the plants delivered by Wartsila to Nigeria, will produce a combined generating capacity of approximately 400MWe. When installed, the new plant is expected to ensure a electricity supply to the cement factories thus making them independent of the fluctuating supply from the grid.
Joost Bos, business development manager of Wartsila power plants in Nigeria, said: “The multi-fuel capability of the Wartsila 50DF engines is becoming important, especially in West Africa. Industrial customers ask for services that overcome challenges of power supply problems and possible disruptions in the gas supply.”
Wartsila is engaged in power services. The company focuses on the marine and energy markets with products and services. It claims to have over 18,000 professionals manning 160 locations in 70 countries around the world.