GE and Marinus Energy to build first of its kind waste gas to power plant in Ghana

• 6 years ago (2018-02-13)
• David Flin

Africa 302 Gas 370

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GE Power and Marinus Energy have announced a pilot project to capture isopentane gas and use it as a fuel source for generating electricity. The Atuabo Waste-to-Power IPP in Ghana will be the first TM2500 power plant in sub-Saharan Africa to use isopentane gas as a fuel source, and will run on GE’s TM2500 gas turbines. The isopentane gas would otherwise have been flared.

In the first phase, Atuabo will generate 25 MW from the isopentane. As additional gas is brought onshore, the plant is expected to add additional capacity up to 100 MW. Additional isopentane will eventually be stripped off an offshore gas supply and processed at Atuabo by the Ghana National Gas Company. The gas turbine will start on lean gas, and transfer to the isopentane mix over time, and the plant is intended to operate at base load throughout its life.

Fred Asamany, Strategic Advisor of Marinus Energy, said: “Not only is the Atuabo waste-to-power plant enabling our company to lead in innovative energy solutions in Ghana, but by using a fuel source which would otherwise have been flared as waste, we are further reducing emissions and costs. This is good for our business, the climate, and it eliminates the potential environmental hazards facing the local community. GE is offering an innovative solution which gives us the confidence to move from pilot to commercial operations.”

Leslie Nelson, CEO of GE’s Gas Power Systems in Sub-Saharan Africa, said: “The TM2500 unit will provide unrivalled speed to deployment and flexibility to support the immediate needs of Marinus Energy, and then seamlessly transition to deliver capacity over the long term as they expand their operations.”