An entire 32 MW power plant in Ghana has been dismantled and transported to Benin. Once in Benin, the 19 genset plant was split into smaller plants and installed in three cities in Benin to help the grid supply much needed reliable energy to rural areas.
Political and economical changes
The Takoradi plant in Ghana comprised 19 x 12V200 engines, 11/33 kV transformers and a steam turbine. During construction, Ghana’s economical situation changed dramatically, the price of light fuel oil (LFO) almost doubled and there was a significant increase in hydroelectric power capacity. Because of these changes the plant had become uneconomical.
As there were no need for a LFO power plant, MOME of Ghana did not order LFO storage tanks and cancelled the planned eight kilometres of 33 kV transmission line from the power plant to the step-up transformers at the grid connection.
However, the Takoradi power plant was still commissioned in 2000 by the station’s own load using 5 m3 LFO day tanks. Before handing over the power plant, the original contractor, SIIF Énergies SA of France made a contract with Wärtsilä’s Operations & Maintenance (O&M) department to keep the power plant in operative condition, so-called cocooning mode, for later re-commissioning and possible operation in Takoradi.
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The new power plants in Benin:
- Parakou, 13.5 MW plant (7x12V200 with 11/20 kV step-up transformer)
- Natitingou, 11.65 MW plant (6x12V200 with 11/15 kV step-up transformer)
- Porto Novo: 11.65 MW plant (6x12V200 with 11/63 kV step-up transformer)
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Relocate to Benin and build three new plants
At the beginning of 2003, SIIF commenced discussions with Wärtsilä’s Service Projects department for the relocation and commissioning of the Takoradi power plant to other locations. Ultimately, SIIF made an Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) contract with the government based electricity production and supply company in Benin, La Société Béninoise d’Electricité et d’Eau (SBEE) for three power plants in different locations in Benin. The three power plants would become part of Benin’s national grid extension project.
For this project Wärtsilä received notice to proceed (NTP) on the 15th April 2004.
Contractually, this meant new design layouts for the three new power plants and dismantling, packing and transportation of the entire plant to Benin (only excluding the plant’s steam turbine). In Benin, the former Takoradi plant would then be turned into three new smaller power plants in different cities including grid connections, new transformers, civil works, new storage tank areas, engine maintenance and commissioning.
A project of this magnitude presents many logistical challenges and requires considerable coordination that involves many procedures and steps. Not only must there be tight and exacting communication between the various contractors but also with municipal and central governments.
The whole project was coordinated by Wärtsilä and involved ten specialist companies. The Takoradi power plant in Ghana was dismantled during the rainy season which led to an extended dismantling period. The relocation route went through Togo, therefore all customs clearance documents and other documentation had to be in both English and French before the material could be transported from Ghana to Benin.
The Benin project is a good example of how a power plant can be moved and modified during its lifecycle to meet the customer’s needs. The three new power plants will remedy Benin’s energy shortage and will hence attract new investors to the country. Relocation definitely expands the realm of possibilities for power plant owners.
