Wärtsilä selected to supply major dual-fuel power plant to Mauritania
Wärtsilä, a leading global supplier of flexible and efficient power plant solutions, has signed a turnkey contract to construct, supply and engineer a major power plant to be built in Nouakchott, Mauritania in West Africa. The contract is valued at EUR 128 million, the Corp. press release said.
The power plant order has been placed by the state utility, Société Mauritanienne d’Electricité (Somelec). When completed, the electricity produced will be fed to the national grid and will also be used to provide energy for the country’s growing mining industry. The delivery of the equipment and completion of all construction work is estimated to be finalised within a 24 month time frame. Wärtsilä is also negotiating a long term Operations and Maintenance (O&M) contract for the power plant.
The plant will be powered by a total of eight Wärtsilä 50DF dual-fuel generating sets, which are able to run on both natural gas and conventional liquid fuels (heavy fuel oil and light fuel oil). The intention is to operate the power plant on natural gas from the Banda offshore oilfield, some 80 km from the Mauritania coast. This supply is scheduled to be available in 2015.
“This turnkey project is further evidence of Wärtsilä’s leading global position in dual-fuel engine technology which offers high efficiency, low operating costs and outstanding reliability. Our experience and know-how in providing competitive and flexible power solutions is being increasingly recognised by major power providers around the world,” says Vesa Riihimäki, Group Vice President, Wärtsilä Power Plants.
This power plant is currently the most important dual-fuel power project being undertaken in West Africa. Wärtsilä has delivered several power plants to Mauritania with total power output of over 170 MW.
About Wärtsilä
Wärtsilä is a global leader in complete lifecycle power solutions for the marine and energy markets. By emphasising technological innovation and total efficiency, Wärtsilä maximises the environmental and economic performance of the vessels and power plants of its customers. In 2011, Wärtsilä’s net sales totalled EUR 4.2 billion with approximately 18,000 employees. The company has operations in nearly 170 locations in 70 countries around the world. Wärtsilä is listed on the NASDAQ OMX Helsinki, Finland.
