BUA, Finnish firm seal 70MW gas power plant deal

BUA has signed another agreement with Wartsila OY of Finland for the construction of a 70megawatts dual-fuel power plant for its BUA Cement Obu Line 3 project in Edo State, Southern Nigeria.

The gas power plant will also be the third power plant to be commissioned by BUA from Wartsila as the cement firm seeks to increase its total production capacity across all its locations to 17million metric tonnes by 2023.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, Abdul Samad Rabiu, Chairman of BUA, who signed on behalf of the cement producer, said that BUA was committed to utilizing cleaner, more efficient energy sources for its cement operations rather than relying on coal or heavy fuels.

According to Rabiu, the 70MW gas-powered plant ordered by BUA for its Obu Line 3 cement plant will ensure that the company remains very efficient in its energy utilization 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 a 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 added.

BUA Cement Plc is Nigeria’s second-largest cement company and the largest producer in its North-West, South-South, and South-East regions. BUA Cement operates strategically from Okpella, Edo State and Kalambaina, Sokoto State with its headquarters in Lagos, Nigeria.

Currently the second most capitalized manufacturing company on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), BUA Cement is committed to quality – a differentiating attribute, driven by its people, innovation, and technology; and positioned to solve West Africa’s cement, housing, and infrastructure deficit while driving economic growth and development.