Marine and energy technology group Wärtsilä has secured a five-year contract for the operation and maintenance of a 23 MW captive power plant at the Boto gold project, in eastern Senegal.

The Boto project is located 88 km from Kédougou, near the Mali and Guinea borders, and will be powered by six Wärtsilä 32 engines, of 2.7 MW each, and four high-speed diesel generators of 1.5 MW each.

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

Mining companies are required to operate their own power plants, according to Senegal's regulatory framework, making reliable and cost-efficient energy solutions crucial for gold production and industrial growth.

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

Further, the agreement includes operating and maintaining the engines, advanced AI-powered anomaly detection, and remote operational support to ensure peak performance, optimised fuel use and minimal downtime, it notes.

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

“This project demonstrates Wärtsilä’s ability to operate in alignment with the country's industrial growth and energy independence goals. Our flexible engine technology allows for future integration of solar energy, thereby supporting Senegal’s broader push toward renewable energy and sustainable industrialisation,” he says.

The contract is also 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 such as mining.

“This partnership is a major step forward for our operations in Senegal. 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 renewables integration,” says Moroccan mining group Managem Group chief international operations officer Driss Mounji.

Gold producer Boto is a subsidiary of Managem.