General Electric, GE’s Distributed Power business has announced that four of its Waukesha gas Enginator shave been commissioned at the Lekki Free Zone (LFZ), Lagos, providing 12 megawatts (MW) of uninterrupted power supply to the first phase of the Lekki development zone. According to a statement released by the firm, the Lekki power project, which comprise of three ‘Waukesha 275GL+ and one VHP 7104GSI gas Enginators’, is the largest of its kind in sub-Saharan Africa under GE’s technology.
“We are delighted to provide GE’s proven Waukesha power solutions to this important industrial and commercial hub. The Lekki Free Zone is a landmark development that will further consolidate Nigeria as a leading investment destination in Africa,” Mr. George Njenga, sub-Saharan region leader for GE’s Distributed Power business said.
According to him, the LFZ’s (Phase I) electrical power is expected to expand to an estimated 540 MW gross capacity to support the expansion of the LFZ into one of the largest free-trade commercial, logistics and manufacturing hubs in West Africa. Njenga explained that the Waukesha Enginators were procured from GE and supplied by China Diesel Support Services Ltd (CDSS), a Hong Kong-based authorized distributor of GE’s Waukesha gas engines.
“The engines’ wide fuel flexibility and ability to run on compressed natural gas and propane provides operators with a cost-effective alternative to other fuels as well the ability to meet the zone’s strict environmental guidelines regarding exhaust emissions”, he said.
Similarly, the Acting General Manager (AGM), Business Development of the Lekki Free-Trade Zone (LFZ), Omodele Doherty, has described the uninterrupted power supply provided by the GE’s Waukesha technology as a major breakthrough in the quest to make the 16,500 hectares LFZ a commercial hub in the sub-region.
“The future of the Lekki Trade Zone is essential to Nigeria’s growth as West Africa’s economic driver. We cannot accomplish our expansion goals without a reliable source of continuous power, which is why we turned to GE’s Waukesha technology as a solution,” Mrs. Doherty declared.
According to her, the LFZ is being developed in a joint venture between the Lagos State Government and the Chinese consortium CCECC, Beyond International Investment & Development Co., Ltd (CCECC-Beyond). “Development in the LFZ is supported by investment incentives from the Lagos State government and further growth is expected as the area becomes an increasingly important global distribution center,” she said.
By Olisemeka Obeche
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