Flour Mills to Revamp Power Generation Facilities

By Dipo Olowookere

As part of its captive modernisation plans, which is aimed to boost efficiency, production and deliver value to stakeholders, Flour Mills of Nigeria Plc has contracted a technology group, Wärtsilä, to revamp its power generation facilities.

The company will ensure that food and agro-allied firm boast of reliable electricity supply around the clock to meet its food production requirements and commitments to its customers.

To achieve this, Wärtsilä has already booked orders for two fuel-flexible dual-fuel engines, which would be installed at the organisation’s factory.

One of the orders comprises a 9-cylinder Wärtsilä 34DF dual-fuel engine generator set, while the second order is a 12-cylinder Wärtsilä 34DF engine generator set, which is intended to replace an existing inefficient mono-fuel generating asset in the plant with efficient dual-fuel generating capacity.

The multi-fuel capability of the Wärtsilä engines, which can switch seamlessly from natural gas to liquid fuel mode while running at full load, facilitates the continuous supply of electricity to critical loads in the event of uncertainties in the quality and quantity of the gas supply. In addition to maximising the availability and reliability, this inherent capability provides a valuable hedge against fuel price increases and lends itself to accommodating future fuel infrastructure developments.

“It is always gratifying to receive repeat orders from a customer, not only because it signifies their satisfaction with our solution, but also because it cements the relationship between our companies. Operational flexibility and efficiency, which are features of the Wärtsilä engines, are becoming key issues in energy production, and are especially relevant for production facilities with a critical need for a reliable electricity supply,” the Energy Business Director, Africa West, Wärtsilä, Marc Thiriet, stated.

Wärtsilä has a leading position in supplying flexible power generation to West Africa with 4792 MW of capacity installed, of which 667 MW in Nigeria. Wärtsilä has operated in the country since 2010 and has about 90 employees locally.