The BUA Group has signed yet another agreement with Finland-based Wartsila OY for the construction of a 70-megawatt dual-fuel power plant for its cement, Obu Line 3 project in Edo State.
The agreement was signed by both firms at a ceremony in Abuja presided over by the deputy minister for international trade for Finland, Ms. Nina Vaskunlahti.
According to a statement, the gas power plant would also be the third power plant to be commissioned by BUA from Wartsila as the company seeks to increase its total production capacity across all its locations to 17million metric tonnes by 2023.
Speaking at the ceremony, chairman of BUA Mr. Abdul Rabiu, who signed on behalf of his company, said BUA was committed to utilising cleaner, more efficient energy sources for its cement operations rather than relying on coal or heavy fuels.
He said the 70MW gas powered plant ordered by BUA for its Obu Line 3 cement plant would ensure that the company remains very efficient in its energy utilisation in the cement production process.
“Currently, we have phased out the use of coal across our factories and are shifting to gas powered plants. As we ramp up our capacity, there is need to complement it with efficient power supply and Wartsila’s technology has been found to be durable and uniquely aligned with our vision for more efficient power generation at all our production locations,” Rabiu said.
BUA Cement Plc is Nigeria’s second largest cement company and the largest producer in its northwest, south-south, and southeast zones.
With its headquarters in Lagos, the company operates from Okpella and Kalambaina in Edo and Sokoto states respectively.
