There is growing potential for stream turbines to contribute towards a more sustainable energy future for South African industry. (WEG Africa)

WEG Africa is adding to the energy generating capacity at a Sappi Saiccor mill through the supply of a backpressure steam turbine as interest for the technology grows

Steam turbines provide a valuable opportunity for many industries to self-generate more of their own power requirements – and often from alternative fuels produced as a by-product of their processes. This technology offers benefits including energy cost reductions, more stable supply of power and a lower carbon footprint.

A leading South African firm taking advantage of these opportunities is Sappi Saiccor. Its mill at Umkomaas in KwaZulu-Natal is one of the world’s largest producers of dissolving pulp for viscose staple fibre – used mainly in the production of textiles but also in other household, industrial and pharmaceutical applications. Gas produced from this process represents a fuel source which generates steam for electricity production.

Versatile power supply

A 45 MW extraction backpressure steam turbine from WEG will be adding to Sappi Saiccor’s energy generating capacity at its MgO3 plant. The power generated will be used for internal consumption.

Steam turbine technology is also becoming increasingly versatile to accommodate the specific requirements of the facilities they serve. At the Sappi Saiccor mill, for instance, there is the need to have 15 different load points served by the turbine – where in the past it was usual to have just two or three load points.

It is now possible to provide many more load points – each one with its own inlet steam flow conditions. The steam turbine design can cater for a steam flow range that varies considerably. For the new unit at Sappi Saiccor, this range will be from 75 t/h to 300 t/h.

As the leading manufacturer of steam turbines in Brazil, WEG has supplied a number of units of this turbine model to customers in the market there. The company’s factory in Brazil will design and manufacture the new unit bound for South Africa, and WEG will conduct the installation, commissioning and ongoing maintenance next year. The Sappi Saiccor mill will also use a 50 MVA, 11 kV WEG alternator, which will be coupled to the steam turbine.

Providing the perfect solution

WEG receives regular enquiries from companies who operate boilers for their operations, looking for opportunities to reduce their operating costs while raising their production levels through a more reliable supply of electricity. The company can conduct an assessment of steam flows and pressures, to advise on the most suitable turbine size and the amount of energy they could generate internally.

WEG also has a depth of local expertise and supporting infrastructure to service steam turbines of various makes, and can provide maintenance contracts to give customers peace of mind. In addition to this, WEG offers its customers access to a complete set of spare parts, all of which promote high equipment availability levels.

This article is authored by WEG Africa. Click here to learn more on the company's website.

The signing ceremony was held in Freetown. (Image source: Infinity Power)

Infinity Power, a large pure play renewable energy provider, has signed a MoU with the Government of Sierra Leone in order to develop 1GW of renewable energy capacity in the country by 2033

Seen as a significant milestone in the country’s commitment to sustainable energy and economic development, the initiative will begin with feasibility studies conducted by Infinity Power in close collaboration with the Ministry of Energy. After this, attention will turn to securing necessary permits and finalising power purchase agreements (PPA) with the Electricity Distribution and Supply Authority (EDSA). It will include the development of 200MW of renewable energy generation (through the expansion of hydroelectric dam capacity as well as floating and ground-mounted solar systems).

Ahmed Mulla, deputy CEO of Infinity Power, commented "This MoU represents a crucial milestone in our shared vision for a sustainable future. We are committed to working with the Government of Sierra Leone to deliver this ambitious project and contribute to the nation's energy security and economic growth."

The noteworthy agreement was confirmed at a signing ceremony held at State House in Free Town. It marks another tangible step in the Government’s ambitious plans to target investment in generation capacity over the next 10-15 years to allow the country to trade energy with its neighbours. This drive was underscored at the country’s First National Climate Dialogue and Energy Transition Dialogue held in Oct 2023 and organised by the Presidential Initiative on Climate Change, Renewable Energy and Food Security (PI-CREF).

“Our mandate is simple: prioritize the expansion of our energy infrastructure by integrating renewable energy sources and enhance sector reforms to continue attracting investments. Thus, we are excited to partner with Infinity Power and look forward to our work ahead in the coming months and years,” said Eldred Tunde Taylor, Deputy Minister of Energy.

“Given their work in Africa, experience and goals for the continent, Infinity Power is poised to help meet President Bio’s vision for the country earlier than originally envisaged. The deep energy sector reforms taking place are beginning to pay dividends and we at PI-CREF will continue to play our catalytic role in bringing diverse partners with our MDAs through strategic coordination and policy coherence,” underscored Kandeh Yumkella who leads the PI-CREF.

This is the latest in a number of major announcements from Infinity Power with the company committed to making its mark on Africa’s energy landscape. Most recently, it marked another step towards the construction of a 10GW onshore wind farm on the continent. Click here to learn more.

The plant will be built and operated in partnership with Pele Green Energy. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

The groundbreaking Grootspruit solar photovoltaic (PV) plant in the Free State, South Africa, has been heralded to officially begin construction of the facility that is expected to contribute to meeting the needs of approximately 80,000 South African households

The Grootspruit plant will meet the power requirements of these households alongside another 75MW plant – Graspan in the Northern Cape – also under construction. Both plants are expected to be commissioned by the end of 2025 and will, together, reduce greenhouse emissions in the country by approximately 100,000 tons of CO₂ per year.

Transitioning to a net zero environment

The plant will be built and operated in partnership with Pele Green Energy and Aurex and Ablon have been selected as the preferred contractors for the project.

“We are proud of these projects not only for the power they will generate but also for the structural development they will bring to local communities and the country as a whole,” remarked Ronald Chindeka, head of investment and funding at Pele Green Energy. “Collaborating with ENGIE, who are dedicated to a genuine partnership in realising these projects, is truly exciting.”

Mo Hoosen, CEO and managing director of renewables for Asia, Middle East & Africa at ENGIE, added, “With more than 15 years of presence in the country and over 1.6GW of multiple assets currently in operation, executing such significant projects requires extensive collaboration with partners like Pele Green Energy and the Free State Provincial Government, as well as numerous engineers, builders, and contractors. This significant investment aims to deliver invaluable assets for South Africa once these plants are completed next year.”

Stuart Kent, CEO of Aurex Constructors, said, “Aurex Constructors’ award of the design and construction of the Grootspruit Solar Project reaffirms our commitment to providing sustainable solutions to South Africa’s energy challenges. This landmark project underpins our dedication to supporting a just energy transition, creating job opportunities, and promoting skills development in the local community.”

Elsewhere, a new solar-powered mini grid has been inagurated on the Island of Fogo as part of efforts to provide universal access to electricity to its inhabitants for the first time. Discover the full story at: https://africanreview.com/energy/solar-mini-grid-inaugurated-on-island-of-fogo

The project has a total of 210 planned connections. (Image source: ECOWAS)

A clean energy mini grid powered by solar power has been opened on the Island of Fogo, Cabo Verde, as part of efforts to provide universal access to electricity to its inhabitants for the first time

The project has been implemented by the ECOWAS Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (ECREEE) in partnership with the local AgroCoopCha cooperative. It received funding from the Cabo Verde Government, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), and ECREE through the ECOWAS Special Intervention Fund (ESIF).

Officially unveiled in an inauguration ceremony attended by Ulisses Correia e Silva, the Prime Minister of Cabo Verde, and key officials from the participating partners, the project features installed solar capacity of 40kWp, a 150kWh battery energy storage system, a 50kVA generator, a 5 km underground electricity distribution network and a total of 210 planned connections. Primarily, the system will be used to electrify the local Chã das Caldeiras community which has around 800 members.

For ECOWAS, it marks yet another clean energy initiative that has been successfully delivered and implemented through ESIF and ECREEE. In the press release relating to the Cabo Verde project, the centre reiterated its commitment to expanding access to renewable energy, improving energy security and mitigating the impact of climate change through such initiatives. It added that further projects financed by ESIF will be inaugurated by ECREE in the coming months, including ones in Benin, Ghana and Senegal.