Technology group Wärtsilä has signed a renewal of its Operations & Maintenance (O&M) agreement covering the 105 MW power plant owned by Independent Power Producer Ndola Energy Company Ltd (NECL) in Zambia. The previous agreement had been in effect since 2013. By ensuring the reliability and availability of the plant, NECL can meet its Power Purchase Agreement obligations with Zambia’s utility, ZESCO. The order was booked by Wärtsilä in Q2, 2024.
"We have worked closely with Wärtsilä for a number of years, and we are confident they will continue to operate and maintain the plant successfully to ensure reliable supply of electricity,” says Dr Brian Mushimba, CEO at NECL.
The plant operates with six Wärtsilä 32 engines and six Wärtsilä 32 twin turbochargers. Hydropower is the main source of electricity in Zambia. However, the country is facing an electricity shortage due to a severe drought that has impacted hydropower generation. The NECL plant is, therefore, an important contributor to maintaining a reliable electricity supply.
Marc Thiriet, Energy Business Director, Africa at Wärtsilä Energy, commented: "We value long-term partnerships and collaboration with our customers. This agreement renewal is a good example of our commitment to support our customers throughout the lifecycle of the installed plant and ensure continued productivity and profitability of their operations. Our long-term presence also allows us to support the local economy and community in countries such as Zambia."
O&M agreements are an important element of Wärtsilä’s lifecycle support strategy. They represent a partnership with the customer, with shared power plant performance goals. An O&M agreement is an efficient lifecycle solution that covers every aspect of a power plant’s day-to-day operation and all related maintenance for the generating sets and administration tasks. Each agreement aims to maximise the productive lifetime of the installation and deliver a valuable return on investment, and each solution is tailored to the customer’s needs.
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