Page 20 - Energize September 2022

NEWS

Automation upgrade and long-term service plan

for iconic power plant

he technology group Wärtsilä will hydropower but has uncertain resources of water. The Kribi plant, therefore, plays a key role
carry out an upgrading project of the in ensuring a supply of safe, cheap, and reliable energy.
Telectrical and automation systems “For this reason,” he adds, “we are keen to upgrade the power plant’s automation
of the Kribi power plant in the Republic of systems to the latest design to ensure optimal reliability, and to strengthen our cooperation
Cameroon, to ensure optimal reliability. with Wärtsilä, leveraging their competencies on a continuous basis within the framework of
The 216 MW plant has been in operation the long-term service agreement”.
for nearly ten years, with 13 Wärtsilä 50DF Markus Ljungkvist, Wärtsilä Energy’s vice president for services, says Wärtsilä has
dual-fuel engines running primarily on a strong regional presence, which enables it to provide valuable technical support that
natural gas. At the time of commissioning, optimises engine performance and maximises the production capabilities of this power
it was the largest gas engine power plant plant, which has such a significant role in Cameroon’s power supply. It is also in a position to
in sub-Saharan Africa. Wärtsilä will also ensure the availability of critical spare parts, and this is an essential element within the long-
support the customer’s operational and term service agreement between the companies. “All in all, this is a very important project,
maintenance performance with a 10-year both for the customer and for Wärtsilä,” he said.
long-term service agreement. The project is scheduled to commence in 2023. To ensure the continuity of the plant’s
The order with Wärtsilä was placed by output, the work will be carried out on one engine at a time. The long-term service
Kribi power development company (KPDC), agreement includes remote operational support, maintenance planning, technical advisory,
a subsidiary of Globeleq, an independent and remote troubleshooting services, as well as spare parts.
power producer (IPP) and the owner and Long-term service agreements are an integral part of Wärtsilä’s lifecycle services
operator of power generating facilities offering. They are based on utilisation of the latest digital technologies and supported by the
across Africa. company’s extensive know-how and understanding of power generation installations.
Gionata Visconti, Globeleq’s Chief Wärtsilä has supplied 550 MW of generating capacity to the Republic of Cameroon, and
Operating Officer, says the Kribi power 7,5 GW to the whole of Africa, of which more than 25% are covered by Wärtsilä service
plant has a vital role within the African agreements.
energy sector. It is still today supplying two-
thirds of the thermal energy in Cameroon. Contact Mirja-Maija Santala, Wärtsilä Energy, mirja-maija.santala@wartsila.com,
Cameroon’s energy system relies heavily on www.wartsila.com

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