Wärtsilä and QMM Expand Partnership with Decarbonisation Agreement, Advancing Sustainable Mining in Madagascar
Wärtsilä has renewed its long-standing Operations and Maintenance (O&M) agreement with QIT Madagascar Minerals S.A (QMM), a subsidiary of the Rio Tinto group. This renewal expands the partnership to include a Decarbonisation Agreement, marking a significant milestone in the energy sector. The new agreement aims to optimise the microgrid assets at QMM’s ilmenite mineral sands mine in Fort Dauphin, Madagascar, leveraging renewable energy to reduce emissions and achieve cost savings.
The agreement highlights the use of Wärtsilä’s GEMS Digital Energy Platform, which employs machine learning technology to optimise the dispatch of the power plant’s six Wärtsilä 32 engines, along with battery energy storage and other renewable assets. This optimisation not only ensures maximum utilisation of renewable energy but also enhances the reliability and efficiency of the power supply, which is crucial for both the mining operations and the nearby town of Fort Dauphin.
Jean-Francois Richer, Director of Integrated Operational Services at QMM, expressed satisfaction with Wärtsilä’s performance since the O&M agreement began in 2008, noting that the renewed agreement will further support Rio Tinto’s decarbonisation goals. Wärtsilä’s representatives, including Christoffer Ek, Director of Decarbonisation Services, and Kenneth Engblom, Vice President for Africa & Europe, emphasized the importance of this partnership in promoting sustainable energy solutions and ensuring a reliable power supply for the region.
This collaboration underscores a significant step forward in making decarbonised operations a reality, with mutual benefits for both Wärtsilä and QMM.
