GE Renewable Energy’s Grid Solutions business announced that it has signed two deals to build energy systems in Benin and upgrade three substations in Cote d’Ivoire. These agreements align with GE’s commitment to providing scalable power solutions in partnership with governments and utilities to meet West Africa’s growing energy needs while developing self-sustaining electricity systems for businesses and households in the region.
Benin
In Benin, 85 percent of electricity utilized is currently imported from neighboring countries. To strengthen the country’s grid and manage electricity losses that result during energy transmission, GE will design and supply the first Advanced Distribution Management System (ADMS) in Benin for the Société Béninoise d’Energie Electrique (SBEE) and undertake the rehabilitation of substations and telecommunication infrastructure at the National Distribution Control Center in Cotonou.
Part of GE’s Digital Energy portfolio, ADMS is engineered with adaptive algorithms and predictive analytics to help utilities operate the grid more efficiently and enable automation. The system will be able to predict issues, identify the faults on the grid and propose a restoration plan.
“The Distribution Management System (ADMS) will help optimize energy distribution, reduce electricity losses and minimize shortages,” said the National Coordinator for MCA-Benin II. “This project is aligned with the government’s ambition to efficiently manage the generation from power plants, microgrids and other grid infrastructure to improve the quality, efficiency and availability of power to our customers. “This system will also help manage the security and maintain control of the grid.”
Cote d’Ivoire
Under this contract, GE will rehabilitate and expand three 225kV substations in Ferke, Man and Taabo. This project will help improve the electricity supply in the northern, western and central part of Côte d’Ivoire.
“With about 90% of the country’s population having access to electricity and the growing demand for energy, limited distribution systems cause a total energy loss of approximately 20% annually. There is a need to rehabilitate and strengthen the country’s grid infrastructure,” said Bile Gerard TANOE – Secretary General of CI-ENERGIES. “This project will improve the power capacities of Ferke, Man and Taabo substations to help mitigate total energy losses and provide the reliability needed to limit the total unavailability of these critical substations,” he added.
“Energy is a key component for on-going development in Sub-Saharan Africa. With only 45 percent of electrification rates in many countries in the region, it is critical to develop an end-to-end solution to increase energy access and foster economic development,” said Lazarus Angbazo, President & CEO of GE Renewable Energy’s Grid Solutions business in Sub-Saharan Africa. “These projects reinforce GE’s involvement in implementing key infrastructure for energy transmission and interconnection development in Africa through smart solutions and turnkey project expertise.”
GE’s Grid Solutions business provides complete, engineered solutions for high voltage (HV) substations to power generation companies, utilities, and industries, bringing together the right mix of high-voltage products through expert engineering and full project management. Grid Solutions has designed and implemented over 1,700 substation projects globally in the last 10 years.
About GE Renewable Energy
GE Renewable Energy is a $15 billion business which combines one of the broadest portfolios in the renewable energy industry to provide end-to-end solutions for our customers demanding reliable and affordable green power. Combining onshore and offshore wind, blades, hydro, storage, utility-scale solar, and grid solutions as well as hybrid renewables and digital services offerings, GE Renewable Energy has installed more than 400+ gigawatts of clean renewable energy and equipped more than 90 percent of utilities worldwide with its grid solutions. With nearly 40,000 employees present in more than 80 countries, GE Renewable Energy creates value for customers seeking to power the world with affordable, reliable and sustainable green electrons. www.ge.com/renewableenergy
