Wärtsilä engines to ensure production reliability for Senegal gold mine

Wärtsilä, a global technology company, will provide engines and equipment for a power plant at the Boto gold mine in Senegal. The order was made in early 2024 by Africa Power Services (APS), a company from France that is responsible for building the power plant. The gold mine is owned by Managem, a mining group with operations in eight African countries.

The Boto gold mine is located far from any city and is not connected to the national electricity grid. Because of this, the new power plant is very important to keep the mine running. “We needed a company that could give us reliable power, and Wärtsilä was the best choice,” said Romain Darracq, Head of Sales Support at APS. Wärtsilä’s equipment is known for its reliability and quick delivery, which makes it perfect for this project.

The power plant will produce 17 megawatts (MW) of electricity using six Wärtsilä 32 engines. These engines are known for being flexible and efficient, which makes them a great fit for power plants that need to handle different power loads. Sameer Poredi, a Business Development Manager at Wärtsilä, said, “Wärtsilä’s strong presence in Africa, including in Dakar, will help us support the power plant throughout its life.”

The Wärtsilä 32 engine has been used for over 30 years and is known for being reliable. It has provided over 8,000 MW of energy to customers worldwide. One of its key features is its ability to start quickly, which is important for balancing power grids that use renewable energy like wind and solar power.

The equipment for the power plant will be delivered by December 2024, and the plant is expected to start working in early 2025.

A Sea Change: Sustainable Shipping Solution to Generate Carbon Credits

About Wärtsilä

Wärtsilä is a leading company in the marine and energy markets. They focus on creating new technologies and services that are both environmentally and economically friendly. Wärtsilä has over 17,800 employees working in more than 280 locations across 79 countries. In 2023, Wärtsilä’s net sales reached €6 billion. The company is listed on Nasdaq Helsinki.

About Wärtsilä Energy

Wärtsilä Energy is a key player in moving the world toward 100% renewable energy. They help customers by offering flexible power plants, energy storage, and expert services. Their solutions are designed to reduce carbon emissions and adapt to future sustainable fuels. Wärtsilä has installed 79 gigawatts of power plant capacity and operates in 180 countries.

About Africa Power Services (APS)

Africa Power Services believes that energy is essential for the success of any project. They provide efficient energy solutions and services, including engineering, procurement, and construction of power plants. APS has installed over 500 MW of energy projects in Africa, including hybrid plants that use solar and battery storage systems.