MAN Energy Solutions said it has inaugurated the 127 MW Maria Gleta natural gas power plant near the city of Cotonou in Benin.
The plant was built by a consortium featuring MAN Energy Solutions and BWSC.
“The Maria Gleta power plant increases Benin’s capacity for electricity generation by more than 50 percent,” said Dona Jean-Claude Houssou, minister for energy of Benin.
The Maria Gleta plant is planned to be expanded to a total capacity of 400 MW later on as part of this program.
Recently, the government of Benin has signed an agreement with Total, a leading LNG supplier, for the development of a floating storage and regasification unit (FSRU) which will ensure the supply of the Maria Gleta plant with liquefied natural gas (LNG).
Waldemar Wiesner, head of region Middle-East Africa, power plant sales at MAN Energy Solutions, added, “The plant will mainly operate on natural gas keeping emissions at a low level, while ensuring fuel flexibility through its dual-fuel capability.”