Diesel and Gas-Engine Power Plants in Northwest Africa
Bonthe Works
Location: Sierra Leone
Operator: Sierra Rutile Ltd
Configuration: 3 X 5.5 MW 16V32, 4 X 7 MW 16CM32 engines
Fuel: heavy fuel oil
Operation: 1994-2010
E/G supplier: Wartsila, Caterpillar
EPC: Lord Consulting Engineers, Unatrac International, Mantrac Sierra Leon
Quick facts: This power complex is one of the largest in the country and supplies the Sierra Rutile Mine ansd associated works. This mining operations account for 65% of Sierra Leone's exports and produce about a quarter of the world's supply of natural rutile, salable amounts of bauxite, and zircon. In addition to the power station, SRL built a dedicated port, power grid, and potable water system, plus housing, medical and recreational facilities for  workers. In 1995 SRL abandoned their operation for a time during the Sierra Leone Civil War.

Photograph courtesy of Mantrac
Posted 14 Aug 2011

Dakhla
Location: Western Sahara
Operator: ONE
Configuration: 3 X 7.8 MW
Operation: 2002
Fuel: oil
T/G supplier: Wartsila
EPC: Wartsila, SDEM
Quick facts: This plant in the port area of Dakhla cost 265mn Dirhams. A 16.5-MW diesel plant extension was ordered in Sep 2008 and a 3-MW photovoltaic installation is also planned.

Photograph courtesy of SDEM Enterprises
Posted 14 Sep 2008

 

Kirene Cement Plant Extension
Location: Senegal
Operator: Ciments du Sahel
Configuration: 4 X 9 MW 18V32/30/40 engines
Fuel: heavy fuel oil, diesel oil
Operation: 2010
E/G supplier: MAN Diesel SE
Quick facts: This cement plant expansion was in part funded by Proparco and undertaken by Polysius. The site is 65km southeast of Dakar in Ndiass, Mbour department. Two 7-MW Wartsila engines power Phase-I.

Photograph courtesy of MAN Diesel SE
Posted 14 Jun 2010

 

Kossodo Extension
Location: Burkina Faso
Operator: Sonabel - Soc Nationale d'Electricite du Burkina
Configuration: 1 X 18 MW 18V48/60 engines
Fuel: diesel oil
Operation: 2007
E/G supplier: MAN Diesel SE, ABB
EPC: BWSC
Quick facts: With loan assistance from Danida, Sonabel was able to add this large genset to extend the Kossodo power station in north-eastern Ouagadougou plus additional 33/90kV transmission facilities to deliver the increased power. The 50-MW power plant employs 50 people and today provides half the city’s electricity supply.

Photograph courtesy of Burmeister & Wain Scandinavian Contractor A/S
Posted 26 Mar 2008

 

Kounoune
Location: Senegal
Operator: Kounoune Power SA
Configuration: 9 X 7.5-MW 18M30B engines
Fuel: heavy oil
Operation: 2008
E/G supplier: MHI, Leroy Somer
EPC: MHI, Matelec Group, Stucky
Quick facts: This IPP was developed by Matelec Group and MHI, which took lead construction responsibility and also O&M responsibility. The plant has a 15yr PPA with Senelec. The scope included the gensets and all ancillary equipment, a 90kV substation, plus fuel storage and pipelines. Kounoune has long-term financing packages from a multinational group led by the IFC and including PROPARCO, ADB, BOAD, and CBAO. 30% of the financing was by equity. The fuel treatment system was supplied by Westfalia, Aalborg built supplementary steam boilers, GEA supplied the engine cooling systems, Ferbeck & Vincent built the 60m stacks and associated ductwork, VATECH STEM built the step-up transformer, ABB and Coelme supplied the 90kV electrical gear, and Areva T&D built the switchgear and circuit breakers. The EPC contract was signed on 28 Feb 2005 and the plant takeover was 22 Jan 2008. The total budget was €67.5mn. Total manhours were engineering 26,000, project management 6,000, civil works/services 250,000, erection/installation 50,000, and testing and commissioning 10,000.

Photograph courtesy of Matelec Group
Posted 3 May 2009

Nouadhibou
Location: Mauritania
Operator: Societe Mauritanienne d'Electricite (Somelec)
Configuration: 4 X 5.5-MW 12PC2.5V400D engines
Fuel: diesel oil
Operation: 1978
E/G supplier: SEMT
Quick facts: This plant serves an important regional port city in far northwestern Mauitania. Two new 10-MW gensets are planned for service in 2009.

Photograph courtesy of Societe Mauritanienne d'Electricite (Somelec)
Posted 19 Jul 2008

Nouakchott
Location: Mauritania
Operator: Societe Mauritanienne d'Electricite (Somelec)
Configuration: 4 X 8.2-MW 9L52/55B engines, 2 X 9.5-MW 9L48/60
Fuel: heavy oil
Operation: 1989-1999
E/G supplier: MAN B&W
EPC: Cegelec

Photograph courtesy of Societe Mauritanienne d'Electricite (Somelec)
Posted 19 Jul 2008

Smara
Location: Western Sahara
Operator: ONE
Configuration: 2.6 MW
Operation: ??
Fuel: oil
T/G supplier: ??

Photograph courtesy of ONE
Posted 13 Mar 2005

Abbreviations

Data: industcards, Platts UDI World Electric Power Plants Data Base

Updated 08/14/11

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