Africa is ready to provide enough energy to achieve the most ambitious of goals, and it can do it while maintaining all environmental targets.
We believe careful planning of power systems towards more sustainable and diversified energy supply portfolios can save billions and rapidly reduce CO2 emissions. We create value through our extensive power system knowledge and experience from integrating different generating assets.
On this page, you may find our best materials and proceedings in energising and decarbonising the continent of Africa.
of engine power plant capacity installed
African countries with active customers
Wärtsilä engines installed across the continent
customers across the continent
With more than 650 employees and service hubs located in Kenya, South Africa, Nigeria and Senegal, Wärtsilä is proud to have contributed to many industry firsts. These include Africa’s largest gas engine power plant on the Kribi coast of Cameroon with 216MW capacity, as well as Africa’s highest installation, the 175 MW power plant in Sasolburg, South Africa, sitting at 1,700 meters above sea level.
Another first, the KivuWatt power plant in Rwanda, is the first ever power plant to use the naturally occurring methane from lake Kivu to generate electricity and reduce the environmental risks associated with such high concentrations of gas. Today’s power output is 25 MW but future planned expansions to this project will increase capacity by an additional 75 MW.
Technology group Wärtsilä has been selected to deliver its second major energy storage project in South Australia. Located in Bungama, stage 1 of this multi-stage project will be supplied to Amp Energy, a global energy transition platform.
The standalone battery energy storage system (BESS) will have a 150 MW / 300 MWh capacity and will support energy security and reliability as renewable energy supply increases, pacing South Australia’s ongoing energy transition. The order was booked in September 2024.
The project will be built with Wärtsilä’s Quantum High Energy storage technology, recognised for its advanced safety features and enhanced energy density. The system will support essential grid services, including frequency control ancillary services, fast frequency response, and energy arbitrage to enhance grid flexibility and stability. It will also use the GEMS Digital Energy Platform, which conducts intelligent power control and optimised energy management operations.
This project follows Wärtsilä’s first successful BESS deployment in South Australia in 2023 and becomes the company’s fifth energy storage project in Australia, demonstrating Wärtsilä’s growing footprint in the country. Construction of Bungama BESS stage 1 is expected to start in October 2024, with a targeted commercial operation date in the first quarter of 2026. Wärtsilä will provide a long-term service agreement for the project.
Amp Energy, headquartered in Canada, is expanding Wärtsilä’s customer base. “We are thrilled to work with Amp Energy on this critical project,” says Andrew Tang, Vice President of Energy Storage and Optimisation at Wärtsilä Energy. “This collaboration further demonstrates our commitment to advancing the region’s transition to a cleaner, more resilient energy grid, and supporting South Australia’s vision to achieve 100% renewable energy by 2027.”
“Across our multi-gigawatt portfolio in Australia, Bungama BESS stage 1 is the first of our energy storage projects to reach this important milestone. We are pleased to partner with Wärtsilä on this project and value the company’s strong local track record of delivering high-performance energy storage solutions, proven reliability, and expertise in supporting customers throughout the delivery phase and into operations,” says Daniel Kim, President of Australia at Amp Energy."
Wärtsilä has extensive experience in the Australian market and has partnered with local contractors for efficiency and strong results. Bungama BESS stage 1 will be executed in close collaboration with Balance of Plant (BOP) contractor Enerven and will be the fourth project where Wärtsilä has partnered with Enerven.
"South Australia is where it all began for Enerven, and this project is a tremendous opportunity to showcase our capabilities locally alongside strong partners that share our dedication to the growth of BESS in the region. With five battery projects now under construction across the country, Enerven is establishing itself as a key contributor to the growth of Australia’s energy storage market," says Enerven CEO Richard Amato.
Media contact for more information on this release:
Katri Pehkonen
Communications Manager
Wärtsilä Energy
Mob: +358 50 591 6180
katri.pehkonen@wartsila.com
Image caption: Wärtsilä has been selected to deliver its second major energy storage project in South Australia. Located in Bungama, stage 1 of this multi-stage project will be supplied to Amp Energy, a global energy transition platform. © Wärtsilä
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Wärtsilä Energy in brief
Wärtsilä Energy is at the forefront of the transition towards a 100% renewable energy future. We help our customers and the power sector to accelerate their decarbonisation journeys through our market-leading technologies and power system expertise. Our solutions include flexible engine power plants, energy storage and optimisation technology, and services for the whole lifecycle of our installations. Our engines are future-proof and can run on sustainable fuels. Our track record comprises 79 GW of power plant capacity, of which 18 GW are under service agreements, and over 125 energy storage systems, in 180 countries around the world.
www.wartsila.com/energy
Wärtsilä in brief
Wärtsilä is a global leader in innovative technologies and lifecycle solutions for the marine and energy markets. We emphasise innovation in sustainable technology and services to help our customers continuously improve environmental and economic performance. Our dedicated and passionate team of 17,800 professionals in more than 280 locations in 79 countries shape the decarbonisation transformation of our industries across the globe. In 2023, Wärtsilä’s net sales totalled EUR 6.0 billion. Wärtsilä is listed on Nasdaq Helsinki.
www.wartsila.com
South Africa
4 Powerful Street,
Paarden Eiland
7405,
Cape Town
Tel. +27 21 5111 230
Nigeria
Wärtsilä Marine and Power Services Nigeria
23 Oba Akinjobi Street
Ikeja GRA, Lagos
Nigeria
Tel. +234 907 808 0936 - Marine enquiry
+234 8057217049 - New Builds enquiry
+234 708 624 3992 - After Sales enquiry
E-mail: Sales/Services equiries WNG@Wartsila.com
Kenya
ABC Towers - 7A, ABC Place
Waiyaki Way
Nairobi
Tel. +254 20 7602 400 (Pilot)
E-mail: info.wea@wartsila.com
Senegal
Wärtsilä West Africa
Immeuble Le Thiargane 7ème étage, Mermoz Place OMVS
B.P. 21861 Dakar-Ponty, Dakar - Senegal
Tel + 221 33 865 41 00
Fax + 221 33 864 42 72
E-mail: West.africa@wartsila.com
Madagascar
Fort Dauphin (Taolagnaro)
QMM Madena, Fort Dauphin, 614
Madagascar
Tel. +261 20 224 3267
Fax: +261 20 224 3253
Cameroon
Wärtsilä Central Africa
Wärtsilä Base, Essengue
Douala, Cameroon
Tel +237 33 50 54 00
Fax +237 33 50 54 99
wcm@wartsila.com for general information
wcmsales@wartsila.com for commercial issues
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