ERLANGEN, Germany (May 3, 2013) – Siemens Energy has been awarded an order for three of its model SGT-500 gas turbines, marking the first deliveries of such units to Nigeria. Customer is Edo Cement, a company belonging to the Nigerian BUA Group. These industrial turbines will be deployed for electric power generation for the Okpella Cement Factory in Okpella, a city located in the Nigerian state of Edo, providing the added benefit of low emissions. Delivery of the turbines is scheduled for spring 2014. Once installation has been completed, the plant will have the capacity to produce 2.5 million tons of cement annually.
This order represents an important market breakthrough for the SGT-500 gas turbine, being the first time these turbines have been sold in direct competition with diesel or dual-fuel engines. Compared with such engines, gas turbines emit fewer pollutants such as nitric oxides, carbon monoxide, uncombusted hydrocarbons and fine particulates. One hallmark feature of the Model SGT-500 is that it can operate in a dual-fuel mode, firing natural gas, liquid fuels, and even heavy fuel oil. Furthermore, the compactness of the turbine, resulting in low space requirements and much lower weight compared to competing technologies, is a major benefit. This applies particularly to offshore applications but also to onshore, especially in remote areas, as is often the case in Africa.
“This turbine is currently undergoing a renaissance. Demand in offshore applications for power and heat generation firing heavy fuel oil and heavy crude oil is on the rise. The SGT-500 is optimally designed for such use and offers a decisive advantage: while it is smaller and lighter than diesel engines, it delivers comparable output,” explains Dr. Markus Tacke, head of the Business Unit Industrial Power at Siemens Energy Sector. “These turbines offer high returns thanks to their low investment and operating costs, and operate very economically. Only a limited number of personnel are required for the operation and maintenance of these units.”
The Siemens Energy Sector is a supplier of a broad spectrum of products, services and solutions for power generation in thermal power plants and using renewables, power transmission in grids and for the extraction, processing and transport of oil and gas. In fiscal 2012 (ended September 30), the Energy Sector had revenues of EUR27.5 billion and received new orders totaling approximately EUR26.9 billion and posted a profit of EUR2.2 billion. On September 30, 2012, the Energy Sector had a work force of almost 86,000.