Visitors to the Perkins stand at bauma can find out the latest about Project Coeus. (Image source: Alain Charles Publishing)

The Perkins pre-bauma press event in London provided a taste of what the power solutions company will be showcasing at bauma, which takes place from 7-13 April in Munich

At the event, delegates heard about Perkins’ initiatives to provide smarter, more sustainable solutions to support its customers with their diverse needs through the energy transition, and how its latest developments align with its focus on ‘strengthening the core, pioneering the future’.

In line with this, at bauma, Perkins will showcase the latest off-highway power system technologies, from fuel flexible optimised engines to products and services to support the transition to electrification, such as its hybrid-electric telehandler, where a 75 kW diesel-powered telehandler was converted into a hybrid machine, utilising a Perkins 48V battery system to enable electric-only operation.

Taking centre stage will be the 2606 diesel engine, scheduled to go into production in 2026, a new 13-litre engine platform designed to achieve best-in-class power density, torque and fuel efficiency for a wide range of heavy-duty off-highway machine and applications, from screeners , grinders and material handlers to compressors, pumps, construction machinery, mining equipment and tractors. It provides 340-515 kW rated power and up to 3200 Nm peak torque.

The engine supports quality, reliability and easier maintenance through numerous design enhancements, including the integration of components and a reduction in the number of leak joints by more than 45%. Together, the upgrades result in low fluids consumption and extended oil and fuel filter service intervals as long as 1,000 hours, reducing operating costs and downtime. The engine is HVO/renewable diesel and biodiesel compatible, and is compliant with EU Stage 5, US EPA Tier 4 and all other global emissions standards.

Also on display will be the 904J engine. Available in 2.8 and 3.6 litre variants, the 904 series offers a power range from 50 to 106 kw with agricultural, industrial and electric power variants. As of October 2023 more than 100,000 engines had been built and shipped. The 904J-E36TA, which comes into production in March 2025, the 106kw variant of the 3.6 litre engine, offers increased power versus the current 3.6 litre. With a torque of 566Nm and rated speed of 2200 rpm, it is certified to EU Stage 5 and US EPA Tier 4 Final.

Project Coeus update

Visitors to bauma can expect to find out the latest about Project Coeus, a partnership between Perkins Engines, Loughborough University and UK-based engineering specialist Equipmake, designed to support OEMS through the energy transition. An advanced hybridised alternative-fuel power-system to decarbonise the off-highway industry, it involves the development of a multi-fuel ‘drop-in’ hybrid powertrain. The project seeks to overcome a number of key performance challenges faced by the industry and OEMs as they look to adopt alternative fuels, providing the same performance as they would get with diesel and the ability to flexibly use different fuels, such as ethanol, methanol, biomethane and hydrogen. At the heart of it is a spark-ignited engine platform with an integrated hybrid system alongside the combustion engine to mitigate performance differences in the various alternative fuels.

“These advanced drop in power units are going to be key for helping our customers adopt future technologies required for their energy transition, delivering them a robust plug and play power, maintaining the same user experience, minimising the amount of design integration and minimising the amount of violations,” said Paul Moore, head of Powertrain System Integration at Perkins at the press event.

Augmenting the customer experience

Augmenting the customer experience is an important focus for Perkins. At the press event, delegates heard about Perkins Connectivity and Condition Monitoring. Seamlessly linking the user to their Perkins powered applications, Perkins Connectivity provides access to critical real-time data, enabling the user to make informed decisions with insights tailored to support proactive maintenance and maximise efficiency. It also enables access to Perkins comprehensive service network.

“You might find that the service network knows there’s an issue before anyone on site does. Minor issues can therefore be picked up when they are easier, quicker and cheaper to fix, before they become major issues,” said Jessica Langley, senior marketing consultant at Perkins.

“It’s about strengthening relationships with OEMS and its customers, and empowering them to be manage their costs, reduce their downtime and work more efficiently. Perkins Connectivity really redefines reliability, efficiency and sustainability. It’s more than just technology, it’s a support to our customers, whether they be end users or OEMs, every step of the way.”

Throughout the briefing, Perkins representatives emphasised the company's focus on collaboration with customers to understand and address future challenges and address the demand for smarter solutions that provide full life-cycle support. With the current uncertainties over future emissions regulations and the direction of alternative fuels, Perkins is a trusted partner offering flexible solutions and an agile response to the evolving conditions of the energy transition.

"Our customers and their customers now have a global footprint," said Andy Curtis, customer solutions director at Perkins."How do they develop machines with very different technologies and very different challenges around the world? There is no one size fits all. What we are here to do is really listen to our customers and provide that agile support."

bauma is the world's leading trade fair for construction machinery, building material machines, mining machines, construction vehicles and construction equipment. Perkins will be exhibiting at Stand A4.336

The ‘Mission 300’ initiative marks partnership between the African Development Bank, the World Bank Group, and global allies. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

Dar es Salaam hosts Africa Heads of State Energy Summit, launching Mission 300 to electrify 300 million Africans by 2030 through global partnerships

In a continent where millions still live without electricity, a revolutionary initiative is set to ignite hope. Next week, leaders from Africa and beyond will convene in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, for the inaugural Africa Heads of State Energy Summit. The two-day gathering on January 27-28 will mark the launch of "Mission 300" (M300), an ambitious project aimed at connecting 300 million Africans to electricity by 2030.

A joint effort by the African Development Bank (AfDB) and the World Bank Group, alongside global partners, M300 seeks to address Africa’s energy deficit using innovative technologies and financing mechanisms. This initiative comes at a critical time when 600 million Africans—83% of the world’s energy-deprived population—lack access to electricity.

“No economy can grow, industrialise, or be competitive in the dark,” said Dr Akinwumi Adesina, president of the AfDB. “This partnership is a game changer for Africa’s development.” M300, first announced during the 2024 World Bank/IMF Spring Meetings, also enjoys support from the Group of Seven (G7) and the G20.

The summit will host several African and global heads of state, 1,500 participants, and key private sector representatives. Together, they will chart a course toward universal access to affordable, reliable, and sustainable energy.

The first phase of Mission 300 focuses on Chad, Côte d’Ivoire, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Tanzania, and Zambia. These nations account for over half the global population without electricity and a quarter of those lacking clean cooking solutions. Other African countries will follow in subsequent phases.

Scaling energy access

Under the M300 initiative, the AfDB aims to deliver 50 million energy connections through its projects and ten-year strategy. Complementing this effort, the World Bank Group has pledged 250 million connections by 2030. Together, these commitments aim to close Africa’s energy gap while transforming lives.

AfDB’s energy portfolio includes flagship projects such as Kenya’s Lake Turkana Wind Power Project, which added 310 megawatts to the national grid, and the Desert to Power (D2P) initiative, which seeks to transform the Sahel into a solar energy hub. Recent successes under D2P include a US$302.9mn loan to co-finance a solar power plant and interconnection project between Mauritania and Mali, benefiting 100,000 households.

The summit will also highlight energy sector achievements, promote collaboration to accelerate infrastructure investments, and strengthen regional power planning and trade. These efforts align with Africa’s Continental Master Plan and the African Single Electricity Market, both of which aim to streamline energy policies and promote cross-border energy sharing.

Collaborative investments

Global partners are already stepping up. The Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet, alongside The Rockefeller Foundation, has pledged US$10mn for technical assistance on electricity projects across 11 African nations. These efforts will address energy needs in diverse locations, from Nigeria’s urban centers to Madagascar’s remote villages.

World Bank group president Ajay Banga emphasised, “We need action from governments, financing from multilateral development banks, and investment from the private sector.”

More than infrastructure

Mission 300 is about more than just building energy infrastructure. For millions of Africans who have never experienced reliable electricity, it represents hope and transformation. The partnerships forged and commitments made in Dar es Salaam will pave the way for an electrification revolution, driving sustainable development and improving lives across the continent.

As leaders and changemakers gather in Tanzania, they will lay the groundwork for a brighter future—one where Africa’s energy aspirations become a reality, and the dream of universal electricity access is no longer out of reach.

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