Downtown Africa
Since the 1950s, General Electric has collaborated with energy stakeholders in the Sub-Saharan Africa to provide innovative technologies towards needs of the region for reliable and flexible power. The company’s 100th power plant in the region was completed in 2018. As of today, about 17 GW of gas power generation in Sub-Saharan Africa is powered by GE gas turbines. The company’s power business in Africa ranges from energy generation to transmission and distribution. The company’s local service and maintenance teams in Africa work closely with its subsidiary, FieldCore, to ensure access to reliable and sustainable energy.
The latest collaboration is on the biggest power plant project in Senegal. The project, which is part of the Senegalese’s government’s efforts to increase power generation and provide universal access to electricity to its citizens, will generate 300 megawatts (MW) combined cycle of power.
According to a press release in APO Group – Africa newsroom, General Electric signed a contract to supply gas power generation equipment to the new Senegalese power plant. The contract requires General Electric to supply two 9E.03 gas turbines, one STF-A200 steam turbine, three A39 generators, two Heat Recovery Steam Generators (HRSG) and other equipment for the new plant. The plant’s first phase operations should commence in 2022 and will support the country’s plan to increase its power generation with more natural gas and renewable energy. Indeed, the plant will supply electricity to about 500,000 homes and account for 25% of the country’s power consumption.
Over the years, General Electric has enjoyed a good track record of delivering and commissioning power projects in Sub-Saharan Africa. The company’s CEO for Gas Power business in Sub-Saharan Africa, Elisee Sezan, expressed happiness at being part of the Senegalese project. He explained that the power plant will “use gas-fired generators as an ideal complement to variable renewable resources because they can change power levels quickly, turn down to low levels when demand is lower, and start rapidly.” He also added that the plant’s gas turbines will work well with renewable energy to ensure reliable and flexible power and improve the quality of the citizens’ lives.”
To implement the project, General Electric is collaborating with Senegalese company, West African Energy, which is tasked with developing the combined-cycle gas turbine for the project. Calik Enerji, a Turkish engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) company will build the plant. Commenting on the collaboration, Samuel Sarr, CEO of West African Energy, observed that the project is critical for the development of strategic sectors of the Senegalese economy and will also drive local enterprises. He also added that the project will reduce “the cost of electricity in the country.”
This article was written by our Contributor Henry D. He may be reached at sophia.j@downtownafrica.com. You too can start earning money by becoming our Independent Reporter or Contributor. Contact us at IR@downtownafrica.com
Want to read more stories about Africa they don’t usually tell you? Go to [https://downtownafrica.com/subscribe/]
