The fuel flexibility of Wärtsilä’s power plants offers an optimal solution to independent power producers seeking to overcome the challenges of power supply problems.
Wärtsilä, a leading supplier of flexible power plants for the decentralised power generation market, has been contracted to supply a 100 MW power plant to be installed in Ewekoro, approximately 70 kilometres from Lagos, Nigeria. The order, which was signed in December 2008, has been placed by Lafarge Cement WAPCO Nigeria Plc, a leading manufacturer and marketer of cement in Nigeria. The company is a subsidiary of Lafarge SA of France.
The new power plant will comprise six Wärtsilä 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. This new order, together with the plants already delivered by Wärtsilä to Nigeria, will produce a combined generating capacity of approximately 400 MWe.
Wärtsilä is also currently negotiating a subsequent operations and maintenance (O&M) agreement whereby it will take responsibility for the running of the power plant, thus allowing the customer to focus on its core cement producing business. When installed, the new plant will ensure a reliable electricity supply to the cement factories thus making them independent of the fluctuating supply from the grid.
In commenting on this latest order from Africa, Joost Bos, Business Development Manager, Wärtsilä Power Plants in Nigeria said: “The multi-fuel capability of the Wärtsilä 50DF engines is proving to be of increasing importance, especially in West Africa. Industrial customers ask for solutions that overcome challenges of power supply problems and possible disruptions in the gas supply. Understandably, industries want to minimize the negative impact on their processes. There is, therefore, a clear need for a low cost power supply that is able to meet the demand of heavy industrial processes.”
The Project Director for Lafarge WAPCO’s new cement plant, Guy Chaperon, says the company’s decision to sign-on Wärtsilä was underscored by its current cement expansion project: “As a major cement manufacturer, Lafarge cement WAPCO is in a major phase of its history where it will double capacity from two million tonnes to 4.2 million tonnes by 2010. The expansion project will further assist us to meet the local demand of cement in Nigeria.”
For the cement and other heavy industries, Wärtsilä is able to offer units that in case of gas supply disruption, switch automatically to liquid fuel. These units can switch on-line to heavy fuel oil as well. The efficiency level remains high throughout the lifecycle of the plant, regardless of site conditions. The Wärtsilä generating sets can be offered in a size that allows the optimal load-following required by the process. These features ensure that reliable power can be continuously generated at the lowest possible cost under all conditions.
Wärtsilä has a well proven track record in turnkey contracting capabilities and long term service agreements. This provides its customers with the opportunity to select solutions that allow them to focus on their core processes.
Wärtsilä in brief
Wärtsilä enhances the business of its customers by providing them with complete lifecycle power solutions. When creating better and environmentally compatible technologies, Wärtsilä focuses on the marine and energy markets with products and solutions as well as services. Through innovative products and services, Wärtsilä sets out to be the most valued business partner of all its customers. This is achieved by the dedication of over 18,000 professionals manning 160 locations in 70 countries around the world. Wärtsilä is listed on the Nordic Exchange in Helsinki, Finland.
Lafarge Cement WAPCO in brief
Lafarge Cement WAPCO Nigeria Plc is a leading manufacturer and marketer of cement. With its state-of-the-art plant in Ewekoro, Lafarge WAPCO is the manufacturer of Elephant Cement, a formidable brand that has consistently won the NIS Certificate for product quality by the Nigerian Standard Organisation for over two decades. The Company recently got the MANCAP Certificate for Portland Limestone Cement (Elephant Brand) CEMII 32.5 BL making it the first cement manufacturer to own the certificate in Nigeria.
Lafarge Cement WAPCO is a subsidiary of Lafarge, the world leader in building materials, with top-ranking positions in all of its businesses: Cement, Aggregates & Concrete and Gypsum. With 90,000 employees in 76 countries, Lafarge posted sales of EUR 17.6 billion and a net income of EUR 1.9 billion in 2007.
www.lafargewapco.com
For further information, please contact:
Mr Joost Bos
Business Development Manager
Wärtsilä Power Plants
Tel: +358 10 709 1056
e-mail: joost.bos@wartsila.com
Ms Maria Nystrand
Public Relations Manager, Power Plants
Wärtsilä Corporation
Direct tel: +358 10 709 1456
e-mail: maria.nystrand@wartsila.com
