Wärtsilä Corporation, Trade & Technical press release, 12 December 2007
Wärtsilä has signed a number of important operations and maintenance (O&M) agreements during the past months for power plants in Africa, including Uganda, Nigeria and Tanzania, as well as in Pakistan.
Wärtsilä O&M agreements are tailored to the needs of the power plant owners to give real added value. Under an O&M agreement, Wärtsilä takes care of everything from recruitment, training and management of the O&M staff to energy production, logistics and other services.
“Wärtsilä’s comprehensive O&M agreements are like an insurance policy for the owners and are maintaining the asset value long term,” says Tage Blomberg, Group Vice President, Services. Wärtsilä currently has more than 3500 MW under O&M agreements worldwide.
Uganda
In November, an O&M agreement was signed with Jacobsen Uganda Power Plant Co Ltd for the new 49.4 MWe Namanve power station in Uganda. Due to be commissioned in the third quarter 2008, this power plant is being equipped by Wärtsilä with seven Wärtsilä 18V32 generating sets.
Jacobsen Uganda Power Plant Co Ltd is an independent power producer (IPP) and has a six-year contract with the government of Uganda to build and operate the Namanve power station. The station is located about 15 km outside Kampala, the capital of Uganda, and will supply electricity to the national grid.
The O&M agreement with Wärtsilä has a duration of six years and covers full operation and maintenance including performance guarantees for availability, heat rate and output.
Nigeria
Another O&M agreement, booked in September by Wärtsilä, is with United Cement Company of Nigeria Ltd (UNICEM). It covers the full operation and maintenance of the new 47 MWe Wärtsilä power plant at a new cement works located close to Calabar in Cross River State, Nigeria. The power plant is due to come on line in the beginning of 2008.
The power plant is being equipped with three Wärtsilä 18V50DF dual-fuel generating sets. The power plant will be the sole source of electrical power for the cement plant which is isolated from the national grid. The engines will initially burn heavy fuel oil but will later run mainly on natural gas when it becomes available at the cement works.
The O&M agreement with Unicem is valid for three years and covers operation and maintenance of the complete power plant.
Tanzania
A further O&M agreement was signed in August for the new 102 MWe Ubungo natural gas-fired power station in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania with TANESCO, the state electrical utility. The Ubungo power plant, equipped with 12 Wärtsilä 20V34 generating sets, is located next to TANESCO’s head office in Dar es Salaam and will operate on base load. The natural gas is supplied through a pipeline from Songo Songo Island. The power station is connected to the national grid and will replace a number of rented diesel and gas turbine generating sets at the site.
The O&M agreement for the Ubungo power station is for two years with Wärtsilä taking responsibility for full operation and maintenance of the plant.
Pakistan
Wärtsilä has for the past ten years had an operations management and maintenance agreement for a 136 MWe power plant owned by Gul Ahmed Energy Ltd. in Karachi, Pakistan. In October, the agreement was renewed for a further 12 years.
The power plant is equipped with nine Wärtsilä 18V46 generating sets burning heavy fuel oil. Gul Ahmed Energy is an IPP supplying electricity to Pakistan’s national grid.
In 2006, Wärtsilä signed an O&M agreement for a 16.5 MW power plant, equipped with a Wärtsilä 18V50DF generating set, owned by DG Khan Cement Company Ltd. in Pakistan.
The power plant has during 2007 been extended with an additional Wärtsilä 18V50DF generating set, increasing the total plant output to 33 MWe. An amendment to the O&M agreement has been signed to include this additional generating set. The term of the agreement is six years.
All the above power plants are being or were constructed by Wärtsilä. However, Wärtsilä also enters into O&M agreements for installations having no Wärtsilä hardware.
For further information, please contact:
Maria Nystrand
Public Relations Manager, Power Plants
Wärtsilä Corporation
Direct tel: +358 10 709 1456
Direct fax: +358 10 709 1425
e-mail: maria.nystrand@wartsila.com
Internet: www.wartsila.com
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 more than 15,000 professionals manning 150 Wärtsilä locations in 70 countries around the world. Wärtsilä is listed on The Nordic Exchange in Helsinki, Finland.
www.wartsila.com
Jacobsen elektro AS in brief
Jacobsen Uganda Power Plant Company Ltd, a 100% owned company by Jacobsen elektro AS located in Lier Norway, has signed a PPA contract with Government of Uganda for a six year period. Jacobsen elektro AS will be the EPC contractor for the 50 MW thermal power plant to be built in Kampala Uganda. Jacobsen elektro AS is a turn key project provider for the energy sector and has its main customers in Africa and Asia.
