The UK-based Clarke Energy has announced to provide approximately 25 of GE’s Jenbacher gas engines for Symbion Power’s Kivu 56 and KP1 Power Plants in Rwanda
Two power projects at Lake Kivu are set to increase capacity by 81MW and significantly reduce the current cost of generation in Rwanda.
Symbion Power has named Clarke Energy as the preferred bidder for two important power plants in Rwanda, which will generate power from dissolved biogas from deep below Lake Kivu. The projects include approximately 25 Jenbacher gas engines from GE’s distributed power business. This announcement coincides with a British government trade delegation’s visit to Africa.
Clarke Energy will deliver GE’s J620 three-megawatt Jenbacher gas engines across Symbion’s Kivu 56 and KP1 power plants, which are located on the shores of Lake Kivu in Rwanda. In addition, the company is also set to create jobs in Rwanda to support the servicing of the engines.
The Kivu 56 project is planned to export 56MW of power into the Rwandan grid under a 25-year concession. KP1 originated as an earlier pilot project and Symbion has acquired the plant and will upgrade it from 3.6MW to 25MW, which will be delivered to the Rwandan grid system under a separate 25-year concession.
Lake Kivu, one of the African Great Lakes, is a unique body of water in the world, which at its base is saturated with biogas that is a combination of methane and carbon dioxide gases. This gas is produced by way of the unique combination of 500 metres depth, heat originating from magma under the rift valley and microbes, breaking down organic material that falls from higher in the lake.
The result of continuous enhancements and extensive experience, GE's Jenbacher Type 6 gas engines are an advanced and reliable addition to its product line. The 1,500-rpm engine speed results in a high power density with low installation costs, and its pre-combustion chamber achieves high efficiency with low emissions.
“GE’s Jenbacher gas engines will provide higher efficiency and increased capacity for Symbion Power’s projects, helping to solve the energy challenges in the region,” said Leon van Vuuren, general manager for global sales and commercial operations for GE’s distributed power business.
