APR powers Benin

US0-based APR Energy has signed a 12-month project with the Ministry of Energy, Water and Mines in Benin, West Africa, to provide 50MW of power generation using its fuel-flexible aeroderivative turbines.

The turbines will be fuelled by natural gas, with the ability to switch to diesel based on cost and availability. The project is expected to come online in December.

“We are honoured to assist Benin in its effort to become self-reliant when it comes to power generation,” said APR Energy chairman and chief executive officer John Campion. “Benin currently imports a significant portion of its electricity from neighbouring Ghana, Ivory Coast and Nigeria, and this project will allow Benin to grow its economy using domestically produced power. Another economic benefit will come from the fact that most of the employees who will install, operate and maintain our power plant will be hired and trained from the local workforce.”

With the 50MW in Benin, APR Energy will have installed more than 1,000MW of generating capacity in 11 African countries since 2008. “As a partner in the US government’s Power Africa initiative, we are proud to be playing a significant role in bringing electricity to the people and businesses of Sub-Saharan Africa,” Campion said.