Turnkey supply of a 180kW power plant by gasification of cashew shells

Since 2012, we have been involved in the construction and operation of three gas generating plants in Cambodia, powered by rice husks or wood waste. For the most recent plant, Sra Em (800 kWe), commissioned in 2018, our Cambodian teams handled the construction as an EPC contractor. The Agrogazelec project, supported by the French Global Environment Facility (FFEM), allowed us to adapt the technology we use in Cambodia to cashew shells, with the goal of transferring this technology and developing the industrial sector in Africa.

A 180 kWe gas generating plant was built in Benin as a result, converting cashew shells from the Tolaro factory into electricity. This not only meets the factory’s energy needs but also improves the competitiveness of the local processing sector and reduces its environmental impact.

Additionally, we oversee the construction and supervision of distribution networks in Northern Senegal, covering the regions of Dakar, Thiès, Diourbel, Saint Louis, Louga, and Matam.

The iED Invest teams were mobilized for the construction of this biomass plant, undertaking the following tasks:

• Conducting engineering studies
• Constructing equipment, including the gasifier, gas treatment system, 100% syngas generator sets, electrical panels, and supervision system
• Transporting all power plant components
• Assembling and installing the 180 kW self-production plant and a coal briquette production line (1.5 tonnes per day)
• Performing tests and commissioning

While the technology is relatively simple and robust, effective operation and maintenance are crucial for sustainable and efficient performance. To ensure this, the future operation and maintenance managers of the Tolaro plant—four Beninese engineers and technicians—underwent three weeks of training in Cambodia at our Sra Em gas generating plant (800 kW), gaining hands-on experience in a fully operational setting.