Eritrea Expands Electrical Network

Development News
Two MAN B&W 12K60MC-S, low-Speed Diesel Engines, with a potential to producing up to 48MW Power are heading to Eritrea.
Two MAN B&W 12K60MC-S, two-stroke, low-Speed Diesel Engines, with a potential of producing up to 48MW Power are heading to Eritrea. When commissioned, the two engines alone will cover 73% of Eritrea’s total power needs.

By MAN B&W,

QINGDAHAIXI Marine Diesel Co., Ltd. (QMD) and EPC contractor Shanghai Marine Diesel Engine Research Institute recently signed a contract to supply Eritrea with two MAN B&W 12K60MC-S low-speed engines that will run on liquid fuel.

The engines will play a key part in the expansion of the Hirgigo power plant, located 5 km southwest of Massawa, the major city on the Red Sea coast. Shanghai Electric will manufacture the generators for the engines, which are being produced for the Eritrean Electric Corporation (EEC).

The EEC has chosen the latest mark of the K60MC-S engine type and the two units will provide a joint mechanical output of 47.52 MW at 150 rpm. The engines will comply with the NOx emission limit of the World Bank’s 2008 regulation, i.e. 1850 mg/Nm3 at 15% O2 dry.

Based on statistical information, the distribution of the electrical consumption in Eritrea is 57% for industrial purposes, 22% for residential areas and 21% for commercial use. When the two new engines enter operation, MAN B&W two-stroke, low-speed diesel engines will account for approximately 73% of Eritrea’s total power supply.

Breakthrough

MAN Diesel & Turbo views the new order as a major breakthrough for several reasons, primarily because it is the first time a Chinese licensee has received an order for a stationary application with MAN B&W engines outside of China. It is also QMD’s first order for MAN B&W engines as well as the first occasion where a Chinese company will supply low-speed generators outside of China for engines with an MAN B&W design.

About QMD

Qingdaohaixi Marine Diesel Co., Ltd. signed a two-stroke license agreement with MAN Diesel & Turbo in October 2014. QMD is a joint venture of Yichang Marine Diesel Engine Co., Ltd., and Shanghai Marine Diesel Engine Research Institute, and a member of China Shipbuilding Industry Corporation (CSIC)., and is based at Haixi Bay, Qingdao, north-eastern China.