Wärtsilä to supply, operate 30MW power facility for Elektron Energy’s VIPL on Victoria Island, Lagos. (Image source: Wärtsilä)

Wärtsilä, the global technology group, has been selected to supply and operate key power generation systems for a new 30MW natural gas-fired power plant on Victoria Island, Lagos

The project is being executed by Victoria Island Power Ltd. (VIPL), a special purpose entity established by Nigerian energy developer Elektron Energy. Wärtsilä will also manage operations and maintenance (O&M) of the facility for an initial five-year term.

The contract, which includes equipment delivery and O&M services, was signed in the fourth quarter of 2024. The new facility will be embedded within the Eko Electricity Distribution Company (EKEDC) network at its NEPA Close site and is intended to improve electricity reliability for EKEDC’s consumers.

The project’s structure relies on strong collaboration between Elektron Energy and its Nigerian partners. VIPL has entered into power purchase agreements (PPAs) with commercial clients under a service-based tariff model.

“Elektron has conceptualised, developed, and funded the IPP and has secured the implementation by engaging Wärtsilä to assume single point responsibility for the major construction and operational aspects related to the eventual power generation facility. This pioneering project relies on reciprocating internal combustion engine (RICE) technology that has the efficiency and flexibility to deliver clean and reliable electricity to our customers,” said Deen Solebo, co-CEO & chief financial officer at Elektron Energy.

Wärtsilä’s scope includes three 34SG gas engine-generator units and all required auxiliary components. The modular design of the facility allows for a future fourth engine to be integrated with minimal interruption.

“I was very impressed by Wärtsilä’s state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities during my visit to the Sustainable Technology Hub in Vaasa, Finland in late Q3 2024 and am happy with the readiness of the engine-generator sets. In parallel, clearing and preparation activities at the NEPA Close Site are progressing well and are due for completion within Q2 2025, after which construction can start. Commissioning is expected 15 months thereafter and the Operations & Maintenance agreement is timed to commence prior to the new build project reaching commercial operations date (COD),” remarked Solebo.

Marc Thiriet, energy business director, Africa at Wärtsilä Energy, added, “Wärtsilä’s core competence in the engine power plant and services aspects represents a unique combination of a global company with a local presence that provides developers and financiers the comfort to invest and gives end-customers the confidence to sign up for PPA’s with medium to long-term tenures. The Wärtsilä solution is extensively adopted by industrial, utility & IPP customers worldwide and the excellent credentials and track record have been recognised as a great value proposition by lenders, insurance companies, and multi-lateral funding institutions.”

Funding for the project has been made possible through support from several key institutional investors and financial organisations.

“Elektron is especially grateful to the invaluable contributions of its institutional investors and funding partners who have made this project possible including ARM Harith Infrastructure Fund LP, Nigerian Sovereign Investment Authority, InfraCredit, Bank of Industry, FBN Quest, and Stanbic Infrastructure Partners,” added Solebo. 

As Nigeria continues to seek dependable and scalable power infrastructure, this Victoria Island facility is set to become a benchmark for future independent power projects in the country, especially those that are locally developed and financed.

Sasol's Secunda power plant in South Africa. (Image source: Sasol)

GE Vernova has completed a modernisation project at Sasol’s Secunda power plant in Mpumalanga, South Africa

The scope of work involved replacing the existing pre-combustor system with a new DLN1+ combustor, supplemented by the Fuel Gas Module (FGM) skid, to enhance the operational efficiency of the two installed 9E gas turbines and reduce carbon emissions.

In a statement, GE Vernova highlighted that the project serves as a model for modernising power plants across Africa by boosting operational efficiency and reducing NOx emissions.

The project is also expected to yield water consumption savings equivalent to about 64 Olympic-sized swimming pools per turbine annually.

“This project exemplifies our purpose to electrify the world," said Joseph Anis, president and CEO of GE Vernova's Gas Power business in Europe, Middle East, and Africa.

The statement further noted that innovation and technologies will enable more efficient energy production with reduced emissions, without the need for entirely new infrastructure.

“Building on our advanced combustion technologies, we are helping Sasol address South Africa’s energy needs more efficiently. Together, we are demonstrating how advanced technologies can deliver tangible benefits for both businesses and communities,” remarked Anis.

Other benefits of the Secunda upgrade include extended maintenance intervals, which reduce downtime and operational costs, along with improved reliability of the power supply delivered to the national grid.

The upgrade also improved efficiency compared to the previous combustor, resulting in approximately 10,000 metric tons less CO2 emissions per gas turbine, supporting Sasol’s environmental goals, GE Vernova reported.

For over a century, GE has contributed to the development of Africa’s energy infrastructure, supporting power generation, transmission and distribution, energy sector software applications, and community outreach.

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Daystar installs 532kWp solar system at Nexans’ Tema factory, supplying 55% of daytime electricity. (Image source: Daystar Power)

Daystar Power has successfully completed the commissioning of a 532kWp grid-tied solar energy system at Nexans’ factory in Tema, Ghana. Nexans is a renowned global provider of cable systems and energy solutions

The project features 918 photovoltaic (PV) panels in a fully ground-mounted layout—the first of its kind installed by Daystar Power in Ghana. This solar array is projected to generate 47.7 MWh annually, supplying up to 55% of the factory’s daytime electricity needs. Equipped with an ENcombi controller, the system efficiently synchronises with both the national grid and on-site generators, ensuring 99.9% uptime and enabling proactive maintenance.

“Companies in Ghana face the pressing need to decarbonise their operations. Nexans is a great example of how companies can adopt solar energy to meet their carbon emissions targets and drive energy cost savings,” said Victor Ezenwoko, Ghana country head of Daystar Power. “We couldn’t be prouder to have our first ground-mounted system in Ghana located in the country’s leading manufacturing hub.”

Nexans' new solar power system is a key component of its broader sustainability strategy to lower emissions and reduce reliance on conventional power sources at its Ghanaian facility.

“At Nexans Kabelmetal, we are committed to integrating sustainable energy solutions into our operations, and this new solar system is a significant step towards achieving our environmental goals. Our partnership with Daystar Power exemplifies our dedication to innovation and sustainability as we work towards our goal of net-zero emissions by 2050,” said Alexander Quarcoopome, CEO of Nexans Kabelmetal.

Small home solar kits are transforming energy access across Africa (Image credit: Adobe Stock)

Off-grid solar provider Sun King has secured an US$80mn fully Naira-denominated loan to scale energy access in Nigeria

The financing, in partnership with IFC and Stanbic IBTC Bank, will enable more households and small businesses to adopt clean, reliable solar power without prohibitive upfront costs.

“Off-grid solar provides the fastest and most scalable pathway to universal electrification across Africa,” said Anish Thakkar, Sun King’s co-founder.

“This investment exemplifies the kind of bold, all-hands-on-deck approach required to deliver reliable, affordable energy to millions at the pace Mission 300 calls for. With structured financing tailored to local needs, we can dismantle affordability barriers and scale up the proven impact of off-grid solar solutions.”

By combining public and private capital, the funding allows Sun King to extend local currency loans through its pay-as-you-go model while mitigating foreign exchange risks.

This enables customers to pay in small instalments, which improves affordability and capital efficiency, particularly for low-income and rural consumers.

Sun King designs, distributes and finances solar systems across over 40 countries.

With a network of more than 29,500 agents across Africa, it has already sold over 27 million solar products, from home systems that offer multi-room lighting and phone charging to more powerful rooftop systems.

Via flexible pay-as-you-go payment options, customers repay the cost of the solar systems over 12 to 24 months through daily, weekly, or monthly instalments.

Customers can pay as little as US$0.21 a day via mobile money or cash, a model that lowers the financial barrier to energy and broadens access among underserved communities.

To date, Sun King has extended US$1.2bn in loans to its customers across Africa.

The new loan facility will support Sun King's expansion in Nigeria, especially in hard-to-reach communities.

Currently, nearly 40% of the population still lack access to electricity, though demand for affordable solar solutions is advancing rapidly.

“Millions of Nigerians still live without reliable access to electricity, which limits opportunity and undermines resilience,” said Dahlia Khalifa, IFC regional director for Central Africa and Anglophone West Africa. “This investment enables scalable local-currency solutions that empower households and businesses with clean, affordable solar power.”

The investment aligns with Nigeria’s Country Partnership Framework with the World Bank Group and contributes to Mission 300, a joint initiative with the African Development Bank launched in 2025 to expand electricity access across Africa.

Oladele Sotubo of Stanbic Bank IBTC Capital Ltd said the move will empower millions of Nigerians with access to clean, reliable and affordable solar energy who would otherwise struggle to access power.

“By enabling households and small businesses to access solar power through flexible financing options, we are helping to build a more inclusive and sustainable future for Nigeria.”

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