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 signed a renewal of its Operations & Maintenance (O&M) agreement covering the 105 MW power plant owned by Independent Power Producer Ndola Energy Company Ltd (NECL) in Zambia. The previous agreement had been in force since 2013. By ensuring the reliability and availability of the plant, NECL can meet its Power Purchase Agreement obligations with Zambia’s utility, ZESCO. The order was booked by Wärtsilä in Q2, 2024.
"We have worked closely with Wärtsilä for a number of years, and we are confident that they will continue to successfully operate and maintain the plant to ensure reliable supply of electricity,” says Dr. Brian Mushimba, CEO at NECL.
The plant operates with twelve Wärtsilä 32 engines, including six equipped with two-stage turbocharging technology. Hydropower is the main source of electricity in Zambia. However, the country is facing an electricity shortage due to a devastating drought that has impacted hydropower generation. The NECL plant is, therefore, an important contributor to maintaining a reliable electricity supply.
"We value long-term partnerships and collaboration with our customers. This agreement renewal is a good example of our commitment to support our customers throughout the lifecycle of their installation and ensure continued productivity and profitability of their operations. Our long-term presence also allows us to support the local economy and community in countries such as Zambia," comments Marc Thiriet, Energy Business Director, Africa at Wärtsilä Energy.
O&M Agreements are an important element of Wärtsilä’s lifecycle support strategy. They represent a partnership with the customer, with shared power plant performance goals. An O&M Agreement is an efficient lifecycle solution that covers every aspect of a power plant’s day-to-day operation and all related maintenance for the generating sets and administration tasks. Each agreement aims to maximise the productive lifetime of the installation and deliver a valuable return on investment. The solution is tailored to the customer’s specific needs.
Wärtsilä 32 diesel engine
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 signed a renewal of its Operations & Maintenance agreement covering the 105 MW power plant owned by Independent Power Producer Ndola Energy Company Ltd in Zambia.
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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
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
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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