Siemens to deliver three SGT-500 gas turbines in Nigeria

Siemens Energy has been awarded a contract by Nigeria's Edo Cement, part of Nigeria's BUA Group, for delivery of three SGT-500 gas turbines to produce power for the Edo Cement's Okpella Cement Factory, located in Okpella, a town in Nigeria's Edo state. Delivery of the turbines is scheduled for spring 2014.

The SGT-500 has a power output ranging from 15 to 20MW. It can operate in dual-fuel mode, firing on natural gas, liquid fuels as well as heavy fuel oil. Siemens says that the deal marks the first time the SGT-500 gas turbine has been sold in direct competition with diesel or dual-fuel engines, pointing out that its turbine emits fewer nitric oxides, carbon monoxide, uncombusted hydrocarbons and fine particulates than competing engines.

The SGT-500 turbine is also very compact, so it requires less space and weighs less when compared to competing technologies. Siemens says this is particularly important for offshore applications but "also to onshore [applications], especially in remote areas, as is often the case in Africa."

Dr. Markus Tacke, Head of the Business Unit Industrial Power at Siemens Energy Sector said this turbine is currently undergoing a renaissance. Demand in offshore applications for power and heat generation firing heavy fuel oil and heavy crude oil is on the rise. “The SGT-500 is optimally designed for such use and offers a decisive advantage: while it is smaller and lighter than diesel engines, it delivers comparable output."