Marine and energy technology group Wärtsilä will supply five Wärtsilä 32 engines for a 14 MW captive power plant to be installed at the Diamba Sud gold project, in Senegal.

The plant is required to ensure a reliable and efficient supply of electricity, which is essential for the mining project’s operations. Owing to its remote location, the mine will depend solely on this plant for its power needs.

Canada-based precious metals miner Fortuna Mining, which is developing the Diamba Sud project, says it aims to add renewable energy to this microgrid in the near future.

The order was placed by France-based engineering, procurement and construction main contractor Africa Power Services (APS) on behalf of Fortuna Mining.

“Operating a remote, offgrid mine requires reliable power, as any unscheduled downtime carries financial and operational risks. Wärtsilä’s engines deliver the continuous performance required for such demanding conditions,” says APS MD Cedric Fernandez.

“Selecting them for Diamba Sud ensures we mitigate operational risks from day one, while building a power foundation that can seamlessly integrate renewable energy assets as the mine evolves.”

The Wärtsilä 32-engine generating set has established a reputation for reliability during 30 years of successful operations, and providing more than 8 000 MW of energy to customers around the world, says Wärtsilä.

Its fast-starting flexibility supports the integration of intermittent supplies of renewable energy, such as wind and solar, into power systems by enabling efficient grid balancing.

In addition to the engine generating sets, Wärtsilä’s scope includes basic engineering, engine specific auxiliary units and the engine control and monitoring system. The company will also provide advisory support during the installation and commissioning phases.

“This repeat order from APS reinforces Wärtsilä’s position as a trusted and reliable solution provider for the mining industry’s power needs,” says Wärtsilä Energy Africa business director Marc Thiriet.

“Mining operations are under dual pressure to maintain maximum uptime while actively charting a path toward decarbonisation. By deploying multiple smaller engine-generating sets instead of a single large unit, we enable the plant to match fluctuating load demands with high precision, which maximises fuel efficiency and reduces emissions.”

These engines also feature the starting flexibility required to balance the intermittent nature of solar or wind power, which complements Fortuna Mining’s future plans to introduce renewables to this microgrid, strengthening the mines operational stability, he says.

The equipment is scheduled for delivery in March 2027 and the power plant is expected to be operational by the end of 2027.