By Aduragbemi Omiyale
One of the leading cement makers in Nigeria, Lafarge Africa Plc, has renewed an operation and maintenance (O&M) deal it sealed with a technology group, Wärtsilä.
In 2011, the cement manufacturer engaged the firm to supply and commission its 100 megawatts power plant in Ewekoro, Ogun State and it was impressed with the job well-done, which prompted it to renew the deal for five years.
A statement from Wärtsilä disclosed that the power plant maintenance renewal agreement was signed in July 2021 and it will enable it to further ensure the facility works optimally.
The captive Ewekoro plant consists of six Wärtsilä 50DF dual-fuel engines, operating primarily on gas, but with the flexibility to automatically switch to liquid fuel in case of a disruption to the gas supply.
Similarly, should the quality of the gas supply be disrupted, the Wärtsilä engines will continue to operate efficiently, delivering an assured and reliable power supply to the facility.
Unlike gas turbine plants, the engines will also function efficiently with a low-pressure gas supply, thus providing a huge advantage given the region’s vulnerability to such interruptions, Business Post learned.
The captive power plant provides the cement production facilities steady supply of electricity and efficient use of available natural gas as a primary fuel. By having Wärtsilä operate and maintain the power plant, the customer can focus on its core business to deliver construction materials to Nigeria.
It was gathered that the scope of the agreement includes the operating crew, performance guarantees, plant availability and spare parts.
Commenting on the development, the Energy Business Director, Africa West, Wärtsilä Energy, Marc Thiriet, stated that, “Lafarge has been a customer with whom we have built a strong relationship over a number of years.
“Their readiness to renew this O&M agreement is a clear indication of satisfaction with our performance, and of how it supports the achievement of their business goals.”
On his part, Mr Lanre Opakunle, the Strategic Sourcing Director, Power & Gas, Middle East & Africa, Lafarge, a member of Holcim Group, stated that, “We have benefited significantly from the efficient way by which Wärtsilä has operated and maintained this plant for the past 10 years, and we had no hesitation in extending the agreement for a further five years.
“An uninterrupted reliable supply of electricity is essential to our production and having our own power plant, built, operated and maintained by Wärtsilä, gives us this assurance.”
Dipo Olowookere 
Adedapo Adesanya