
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 will supply the generating sets for two Indonesian power plants. The order has been placed by KEPCO E&C, a member of the consortium of KEPCO E&C-Adhi Karya, the consortium to build the plants for the Indonesian state-owned utility PLN. The order has been booked by Wärtsilä in November 2023.
The Sumbawa-2 plant located on Sumbawa island and the Tobelo plant on North Maluku will each operate with three Wärtsilä 31DF dual-fuel engines delivering an output of 30 MW. Initially they will be fuelled by mix of 35% biofuel and 65% diesel, in line with Indonesia’s biodiesel programme. They will switch to operate on natural gas when it becomes locally available. The plants will therefore be reducing carbon emissions while providing reliable electricity, and by doing so contribute to the decarbonisation journey of Indonesia.
“Having won the public tender for these projects, we needed a partner with the capability to deliver high efficiency and reliable power generation. Wärtsilä’s track record in Indonesia is well established, and the fuel flexibility of the Wärtsilä engines was an important consideration in their selection,” said Il Bae Kim, Executive Senior Vice President at KEPCO E&C.
“We are honoured to have been awarded the contract to supply the equipment for these two new power plants. The Wärtsilä 31DF engine has world-class efficiency, which is unmatched in its class, and is the perfect choice for these projects where flexibility and reliability are basic essentials,” commented Kari Punnonen, Energy Business Director Australasia at Wärtsilä.
The Wärtsilä equipment is scheduled to be delivered during 2024 and the two plants are expected to become fully operational in spring 2025.
The Wärtsilä 31 engine platform has established a benchmark in operating efficiency. The diesel version was recognised by Guinness World Records as being the world’s most efficient 4-stroke diesel engine. The dual-fuel version ensures operational energy security through fuel flexibility and seamless switching between fuels. Its fast-starting capability, reaching full output load in just two minutes, makes the Wärtsilä 31DF ideal for grid balancing in systems integrating energy from renewable sources, such as wind and solar.
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 will supply the generating sets for two Indonesian power plants. © Wärtsilä Corporation
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Wärtsilä Energy in brief
Wärtsilä Energy leads the transition towards a 100% renewable energy future. We help our partners to accelerate their decarbonisation journeys through our market-leading technologies and power system modelling expertise. These cover decarbonisation services, future-fuel enabled balancing power plants, hybrid solutions, energy storage and optimisation technology, including the GEMS Digital Energy Platform. Wärtsilä Energy’s lifecycle services are designed to increase efficiency, promote reliability and guarantee operational performance. Our track record comprises 76 GW of power plant capacity and 115 energy storage systems delivered to 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 their environmental and economic performance. Our dedicated and passionate team of 17,500 professionals in more than 240 locations in 79 countries shape the decarbonisation transformation of our industries across the globe. In 2022, Wärtsilä’s net sales totalled EUR 5.8 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