Gas add-on technology brings another 100MW to Benin

In response to the public tender process, Aggreko’s bid was the only one to include an ADDGAS option, which substitutes a large portion of diesel fuel with natural gas. By maximising available fuel types, Société Béninoise d'Energie Electrique (SBEE) will be able to make significant savings over the duration of the contract as a result of this solution. The company will also installing specialist high-voltage equipment as part of its turn-key offering.

© Qi Zhou 123rf.com

GDP growth of 6%

With an annual GDP growth of nearly 6% and a rapidly expanding industrial sector, power demands across Benin are increasing exponentially. In its role as the national power utility and system operator in Benin, SBEE is working to bring high-quality electricity to the country’s 10m inhabitants by increasing generation capacity and further developing transmission and distribution networks.

Aggreko has previously supported the national grid at various intervals over the last 12 years, providing an interim solution to Benin helping to maintain economic growth in the country.

“We signed with Aggreko because Benin can count on its ability to mobilise within the contractual deadlines and on its experience as an operator,” said Laurent Tossou, managing director of SBEE.

Meeting the daily deficit

“The proposition considers Benin’s availability of gas, while also allowing production units to operate with diesel only. The additional production capacities will enable the Beninese government to fulfil a daily structural deficit ranging between 40-60MW per day for more than a year.”

The 100MW is expected to be mobilised by the end of the year, and this new project will bring the company’s total generating capacity to 2,4GW across Africa.

It will create more local jobs with the recruitment and training of a local workforce specialised in the power industry, a critical sector for the future development of the continent.