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Martin Chmiela, head of power, Asia Pacific, Everllence, and Mian Sun, deputy GM of the 5th Engineering Department, CNEEC, at the contract-signing ceremony in Beijing. (Image source: Everllence)

China National Electric Engineering Co. Ltd. (CNEEC) has awarded a contract to Everllence for the supply of dual-fuel engines for a new Mauritanian power plant
 
Everllence, formerly MAN Energy Solutions, announced in a statement that it will supply four high-efficiency 18V51/60DF engines for the power plant in Nouakchott, Mauritania’s capital.
 
The value of the contract was not disclosed.
 
With a total power output of 74 MW, the new power facility is set to play a key role in closing the existing gap in the country’s electricity supply.
 
“Everllence is making a vital contribution to stabilising Mauritania’s energy supply with this power plant,” said Ghassan Saab, head of power, MEA region at Everllence.
 
“We have been a trusted partner for energy projects across Africa for over half a century." Saab added.
 
"Everllence has realised power plants in more than 30 African countries, contributing over 2.5 GW of installed capacity to the continent.”
 
Under the latest contract, each engine will deliver 18.5 MW of electric power for the new plant, which will be operated by SOMELEC, Mauritania’s national power utility.
 
The state power firm also plans to build additional facilities to gradually meet the country’s growing electricity demand, the Everllence statement noted.
 
For its latest project, Everllence said production planning at an early stage and close collaboration with both the EPC contractor and end user will enable exceptionally short delivery times, with commissioning scheduled to be completed by late 2026.
 
“We’re proud that CNEEC is relying on our technology to strengthen the power supply in Mauritania,” said Martin Chmiela, head of power, Asia Pacific at Everllence, who signed the contract with CNEEC in Beijing recently.
 
“Our dual-fuel engines offer maximum fuel flexibility. Depending on availability, the engines can seamlessly switch between fuels without compromising performance, ensuring reliable power-generation at all times.”
 
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Maxion Wheels investing in solar energy. (Image source: Maxion Wheels)

Maxion Wheels, a leading producer of wheels for passenger and commercial vehicles, has completed a 2.9 MWp solar project at its Johannesburg manufacturing plant
 
The move reflects a shift in the commercial and industrial (C&I) energy market to renewables and away from traditional thermal based power solutions.
 
Terra Firma, a South African C&I solar and storage solutions provider, worked on the project, timed which was timed with Maxion Wheels South Africa’s 60th anniversary event.
 
“Integrating renewable energy into our operations marks a significant milestone in our Roadmap Zero strategy towards net-zero emissions by 2040, and reinforces our position as a global leader in advanced manufacturing,” said Milos Despotovic, managing director, Maxion Wheels South Africa.
 
The carport and ground mount solar installation will supply approximately 20% of the manufacturing facility’s annual energy needs, reducing Maxion’s reliance on the national grid and providing protection against energy-related tariff increases.
 
It will also reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by approximately 5,100 tonnes per year.
 
A second phase of additional rooftop solar capacity is scheduled for completion in Q1 2026, with the possibility of integrating a Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) for energy arbitrage and backup power.
 
South Africa’s automotive industry contributes 5.3% of GDP and supports over 500,000 jobs across the value chain.
 
However, the sector is under increasing pressure due to global trade barriers, growing competition and decarbonisation requirements.
 
For manufacturers such as Maxion Wheels, where electricity is one of the largest input costs due to energy-intensive processes, managing energy spend is critical to maintaining competitiveness.
 
Solar power offers a solution that enables firms to reduce and manage costs, improve resilience and reduce climate impact.
 
As the world's leading manufacturer of steel and aluminium wheels, Maxion Wheels produces approximately 50 million wheels per year across its 31 locations on five continents.
 
The Johannesburg plant produces high-precision aluminium wheels for major automotive OEM customers in South Africa.
 
Given its intensive industrial processes, continuous uptime is mission-critical.
 
The plant relies on extensive machinery including various robots, integrated foundry systems and automated conveyor networks operating around the clock.
 
For Terra Firma, the project meant ensuring continuous power supply while meeting strict health, safety and operational standards at every step of the deployment.
 
Under a comprehensive medium-term Power Purchase Agreement (PPA), Terra Firma financed, designed, engineered and installed the project, and will manage and maintain it for its lifetime.
 
The PPA delivery model offers the cost and GHG emission reduction benefits of solar power, without the capital expenditure or risks of ownership, according to said Grant Berndsen, CEO, Terra Firma.
 
“We thank Maxion Wheels for entrusting Terra Firma as their energy partner to bring this project to life,” said Berndsen.
 
“Together, we’re demonstrating how solar power helps enable long-term sustainability, resilience and global competitiveness for South Africa’s automotive manufacturing sector.”
 
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Mondi’s Merebank mill boosts self-sufficiency with new turbine and flood-proofing projects, driving MAP2030 sustainability goals. (Image source: Mondi Merebank)

Mondi, a global packaging and paper leader, has reached a key sustainability milestone at its Merebank mill in Durban, South Africa, through the installation of a new turbine at the site’s power plant

With this development, the mill can now generate 60% of its own electricity, reducing reliance on grid power and enhancing efficiency.

The upgrade features a condensing steam turbine, new cooling towers, piping, and control systems, designed to harness excess steam from the mill’s boiler.

Highlighting the project’s significance, Donovan Naidoo, operations director at Mondi Merebank, said, “By generating power on site, we reduce our dependency on external electricity supply, reduce costs and take a step towards energy independence, climate resilience and long-term operational stability. Once the cooling tower upgrade is completed, the new turbine will produce more electricity than the mill consumes – a significant milestone in our journey towards self-sufficiency.”

Beyond greater energy independence, the turbine also supports a lower carbon footprint for the mill.

In parallel, the mill has finished two flood-resilience projects aimed at reducing risks from natural disasters. These include the installation of flood gates and inflatable flood barriers, enabling the rapid creation of water-catchment dams. These initiatives safeguard operations and surrounding communities during extreme weather, ensuring continuity.

Both the turbine generator and flood-defence projects align with the Mondi Action Plan 2030 (MAP2030) sustainability commitments.

Tanzania’s Geita gold mine gets connected to the national grid. (Image source: Hitachi Energy)

Hitachi Energy has completed a project to connect Tanzania’s leading gold producer, Geita Gold Mine Limited (GGML), to the national grid, displacing the use of traditional thermal gensets for energy

In a statement, Hitachi Energy said the project replaced 80% of the fossil-fuel gensets used by GGML for power generation and is expected to reduce the site’s carbon emissions by at least 50 kilotons (Kt) CO2 per annum.

Tanzania’s national grid is currently estimated to be made up of around 45.5% renewable energy sources.

“We are proud to support Geita Gold Mine Limited in this landmark achievement,” said Mohamed Hosseiny, managing director at Hitachi Energy in Africa.

AngloGold Ashanti, the owner of GGML, collaborated with the Tanzanian government, power utility Tanzania Electric Supply Company (Tanesco), and Hitachi Energy to execute the project.

As part of the deployment, Hitachi Energy delivered a state-of-the-art power electronic converter that stabilises the mine’s connection to the grid, featuring a PCS 6000 STATCOM system.

The system’s performance is further optimised through MicroSCADA, which provides crucial real-time monitoring and control.

The PCS 6000 STATCOM system was pre-assembled, tested to the highest standards, and shipped as a containerised package for fast installation on-site.

Its compact design and adaptability to harsh mining environments make it a “compelling solution” for industrial and remote grid applications, according to Hitachi Energy.

“Electrification solutions, like the STATCOM system, are vital to accelerating the global energy transition,” a statement read.

“By delivering innovative technology to high-impact markets, Hitachi Energy empowers the world’s energy system to be more sustainable, secure, resilient, and affordable.”

During the project execution, the company engaged with local partners, providing supervision and training to contractors and skills development.

Hosseiny added that it underlined the industry’s commitment to improving its environmental footprint.

“AngloGold Ashanti’s unwavering commitment to sustainability and climate resilience across their business, value chain, and communities sets a remarkable standard in the industry,” he said.

“It is reassuring that our pioneering technologies and solutions are advancing a sustainable energy future for all.”

Read more:

Wartsila signs gold mine power deal in Senegal

76mw cocoa-waste-to-energy plant in Cote d'Ivoire

Off-grid solar and storage solution to power Senegal mine

Powering Senegal's mining sector

Wärtsilä has signed a five-year deal to operate a power plant for Senegal’s Boto Gold Mine

The Finland-based group has a five-year Operation and Maintenance (O&M) agreement with Boto SA, a subsidiary of Moroccan mining group, Managem, for a 23 MW captive power plant at the mine, located in eastern Senegal.

This milestone project represents a development in support of Senegal's rapidly expanding mining and energy sector, and aligns with the transition towards a more sustainable energy mix, a Wärtsilä statement read.

The power plant, designed to support gold mining operations in a remote, off-grid location, includes a tailored optimisation plan aligned with local mining and energy requirements, in line with the national Plan Sénégal Émergent.

Located 88 km from Kédougou, near the Mali and Guinea borders, the Boto Gold Project will be powered by six Wärtsilä 32 engines (2.7 MW each) and four high-speed diesel generators (1.5 MW each).

The O&M agreement includes operating and maintaining the engines, advanced AI-powered anomaly detection and remote operational support, ensuring peak performance, optimised fuel use, and minimal downtime.

In accordance with Senegalese regulatory framework, mining companies are required to operate their own power plants in these areas, making reliable and cost-efficient energy solutions crucial for gold production and industrial growth.

“Supporting Managem Group on their first self-owned power plant reflects our commitment to delivering resilient, cost-efficient energy to Africa’s mining sector,” said Marc Thiriet, energy business director, Africa at Wärtsilä Energy.

“This project demonstrates Wärtsilä’s deep understanding of Senegal’s energy landscape and our ability to operate in alignment with the country's industrial growth and energy independence goals.”

“Wärtsilä’s flexible engine technology allows for future integration of solar energy, supporting Senegal’s broader push toward renewable energy and sustainable industrialisation,” added Thiriet. 

The contract is expected to support local employment in the Kédougou region through the engagement of local personnel and supports Senegal’s national goals of industrial growth and energy independence, especially in strategic sectors like mining.

“This partnership is a major step forward for our operations in Senegal,” said Driss Mounji, chief international operations officer at Managem Group.

“Wärtsilä’s tailored approach and advanced digital solutions provide us with the confidence to produce gold more reliably and efficiently, while also laying the foundation for future renewable integration.”

Read more:

76MW cocoa-waste-to-energy plant in Cote-d'Ivoire

Mauritania shifts to privatised power generation model

Off-grid solar and storage solution to power Senegal mine

 

 

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