Finland-based power technology company, Wärtsilä, has been awarded a contract to supply equipment for and maintain a new 30MW power plant on Victoria Island in Nigeria’s most populous city, Lagos.
Victoria Island Power (VIPL), a subsidiary of Lagos-based Elektron Energy, has entrusted Wärtsilä with the engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC), as well as the operation and maintenance of the project.
In a statement, Deen Solebo, Co-CEO & CFO at Elektron Energy said, “Elektron has conceptualised, developed, and funded the IPP and has secured the implementation by engaging Wärtsilä to assume single point responsibility for the major construction and operational aspects related to the eventual power generation facility.
“This pioneering project relies on reciprocating internal combustion engine (RICE) technology that has the efficiency and flexibility to deliver clean and reliable electricity to our customers”.
Under the deal, Wärtsilä will operate as an independent power producer (IPP) and maintain the power plant for a period of five years.
The facility will comprise three Wärtsilä 34SG gas engine-generator sets with related auxiliaries and is configured to accommodate an extension with one additional engine-generator set at a later stage.
This modular design concept by Wärtsilä enables cost-effective expansion with minimal disruption to ongoing operations.
The power plant will run on natural gas and will be located within the Eko Electricity Distribution Company’s (EKEDC) NEPA Close Site.
Deen Solebo said the project will be completed in the second quarter of 2025.
“Clearing and preparation activities at the NEPA Close Site are progressing well and are due for completion within Q2 2025, after which construction can start.
“Commissioning is expected 15 months thereafter and the operations and maintenance agreement is timed to commence before the new build project reaching commercial operations date (COD)”, Solebo said.
Wärtsilä’s other impact in West Africa
Furthermore, Wärtsilä is also giving Senegal’s Bel-Air power plant an upgrade to gas-fired electricity engines.
The Bel-Air plant’s existing six Wärtsilä 46 engines will be converted to six Wärtsilä 50DF dual-fuel engines.
Wärtsilä’s dual-fuel engine technology allows the use of multiple fuels, providing the option to operate on gas with liquid fuels as back-up.
While the upgrade serves to achieve Senegal’s goal of developing more than 3GW of gas-to-power capacity by 2050 as part of its Gas to Power Strategy, it also reinforces confidence in Wärtsilä’s cutting-edge clean power generators.
