Senegal’s home gasoline reserves shall be primarily used to produce electricity. Authorities expect that home gasoline infrastructure initiatives will come on-line between 2025 and 2026, supplied there isn’t a delay. The monetization of those important vitality assets is on the basis of the government’s new gas-to-power ambitions.
In this context, the global technology group Wärtsilä carried out in-depth research that analyse the financial influence of the various gas-to-power strategies obtainable to Senegal. Two very different technologies are competing to fulfill the country’s gas-to-power ambitions: Combined-cycle fuel turbines (CCGT) and Gas engines (ICE).
These research have revealed very significant system price variations between the two main gas-to-power applied sciences the country is at present considering. Contrary to prevailing beliefs, gasoline engines are in reality much better suited than mixed cycle gasoline turbines to harness power from Senegal’s new fuel sources cost-effectively, the examine reveals. Total value differences between the two applied sciences could reach as much as 480 million USD till 2035 relying on scenarios.
Two competing and really completely different applied sciences
The state-of-the-art vitality mix models developed by Wärtsilä, which builds customised power eventualities to determine the price optimum method to ship new era capacity for a specific country, exhibits that ICE and CCGT applied sciences present significant cost variations for the gas-to-power newbuild program operating to 2035.
Although these two applied sciences are equally proven and dependable, they are very totally different by means of the profiles in which they’ll function. CCGT is a expertise that has been developed for the interconnected European electricity markets, where it may possibly operate at 90% load factor at all times. On the other hand, flexible ICE know-how can function effectively in all working profiles, and seamlessly adapt itself to any other technology applied sciences that can make up the country’s energy mix.
In particular our study reveals that when operating in an electrical energy community of limited size such as Senegal’s 1GW nationwide grid, relying on CCGTs to considerably expand the network capability would be extremely costly in all attainable eventualities.
Cost differences between the technologies are defined by numerous components. First of all, scorching climates negatively influence the output of gas generators greater than it does that of fuel engines.
Secondly, because of Senegal’s anticipated access to cheap domestic gasoline, the operating prices become much less impactful than the funding costs. In different phrases, because low gasoline costs decrease working costs, it is financially sound for the country to depend on ICE energy plants, that are cheaper to build.
Technology modularity additionally plays a key position. Senegal is expected to require an extra 60-80 MW of generation capacity every year to have the power to meet the growing demand. This is much decrease than the capability of typical CCGTs crops which averages 300-400 MW that should be built in one go, resulting in unnecessary expenditure. Engine energy crops, on the opposite hand, are modular, which means they can be built precisely as and when the nation wants them, and additional extended when required.
The numbers at play are important. The mannequin shows that If Senegal chooses to favour CCGT crops at the expense of ICE-gas, it’s going to result in as much as 240 million dollars of extra value for the system by 2035. The price difference between the applied sciences can even enhance to 350 million USD in favor of ICE expertise if Senegal also chooses to construct new renewable power capability within the next decade.
Risk-managing potential fuel infrastructure delays
The growth of gasoline infrastructure is a posh and lengthy endeavour. Program delays are not uncommon, inflicting gasoline provide disruptions that will have a huge monetary influence on the operation of CCGT plants.
Nigeria knows one thing about that. Only final 12 months, important gasoline provide issues have triggered shutdowns at some of the country’s largest fuel turbine energy vegetation. Because Gas turbines operate on a steady combustion course of, they require a relentless provide of fuel and a stable dispatched load to generate constant energy output. If the provision is disrupted, shutdowns happen, putting a fantastic strain on the general system. ICE-Gas crops on the other hand, are designed to regulate their operational profile over time and enhance system flexibility. Because of their flexible operating profile, they were in a position to preserve a a lot greater degree of availability
The research took a deep dive to analyse the financial impression of 2 years delay within the gasoline infrastructure program. It demonstrates that if the nation decides to invest into fuel engines, the price of fuel delay can be 550 million dollars, whereas a system dominated by CCGTs would lead to a staggering 770 million dollars in extra value.
Whichever means you look at it, new ICE-Gas generation capability will reduce the whole value of electricity in Senegal in all attainable situations. If เกจ์ลมsumo is to fulfill electrical energy demand growth in a cost-optimal method, at least 300 MW of new ICE-Gas capacity will be required by 2026.
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