GE will supply UK-based energy project developer Clarke Energy with two of its ecomagination qualified Jenbacher J420 biogas engines for Tropical Powers 2.8MW biogas power project at a farm near Lake Naivasha in Kenya
The project will be the first biogas engine project in sub-Saharan Africa for Clarke Energy, GE’s authorised Jenbacher gas engine distributor in the region.
GE and Clarke Energy have collaborated on numerous natural gas and biogas projects in other countries on the African continent.
The two J420 units will be designed to operate at the farm’s high altitude of nearly 2,000 meters above sea level. The containerised gas engines will be configured for cogeneration, with surplus heat recovered as hot water is used to support the biogas plant’s process heating.
Tropical Power operations director Mike Nolan said, “We selected Clarke Energy to supply GE’s biogas engines on the basis of their experience of operating in sub-Saharan Africa, along with a technical solution that offer high electrical efficiency and robust performance using biogas at high altitude.”
GE will deliver the biogas engines to Kenya by the end of 2013. In addition to GE’s gas engines, Clarke Energy will deliver the project with local content originating from local suppliers and operated by Kenyan nationals.
GE Power & Water general manager of gas engines for power generation Karl Wetzlmayer said, “This first biogas engine project in sub-Saharan Africa for Clarke Energy and GE demonstrates how our fuel-flexible Jenbacher gas engines can provide reliable and cleaner on-site power, using local energy resources and labour to help promote energy and economic security throughout the African continent.”
