The Symbion Power Plant at Mandroseza has a full operating capacity of 40 megawatts.
Running on Heavy Fuel Oil (HFO), the plant contains four Wartsila 10MW generators, and as of August 2017, Symbion is generating 40 megawatts.
- Symbion Power is one of the most well known US power sector investors operating in Africa today. In just the past four years Symbion (along with its strategic partners) has acquired, or built 1,193 megawatts of installed power capacity in Tanzania and Nigeria and it has new power projects under development to deliver 140MW of new capacity in Rwanda and Kenya.
- Symbion has an established presence in several African countries and it is one of the founding private sector partners in the US government's Power Africa Initiative. Symbion has committed to invest $1.8 billion of project cost with its partners and bankers into the African power sector over a 5-year period.
- Symbion has extensive experience in the generation, transmission and distribution of electricity in Sub-Saharan Africa as well as in Afghanistan and Iraq. Symbion played a major role in the reconstruction of the power system in Iraq.
Working with Local Partners
- In every country where Symbion does business the company engages local equity partners. Madagascar is no exception where Vision Madagascar and its owner Zouzar Bouka retains a significant shareholding.
- Symbion's commitment to 'in-country' local expertise enables us to respond quickly to complex issues and to train and retain local capacity to build know how, which is needed for self-sustainability on our projects. Symbion trained thousands of local personnel and this strategy has been implemented at Mandroseza Power Plant since work began.
- Symbion's 56MW Lake Kivu and KP1 Methane Gas to Power projects in Rwanda is an investment by Symbion in both gas extraction and power production. Lake Kivu emits methane gas and C02 from its bed at around 1,000+ feet. Symbion will harness the gas, separate it from the water and then clean it before injecting it into gas generators to produce much needed power for Rwanda. Prior to joining Symbion, our experienced Rwandan local partner was responsible for commissioning the first ever successful methane gas to power operation(KP1) on Lake Kivu.
Utilizing Indigenous Fuel Sources to Reduce Costs
- All Symbion's projects focus on the use, wherever possible of locally available, indigenous fuel sources, including at the Mandroseza Power Plant. This is because economic growth in Africa has been hampered by the use of non-indigenous, imported fuel oils such as diesel and heavy fuel for power generation. The cost of imported fuels is often hidden from the public because they are so huge, yet in the end, it is the public who pays for it through their electricity payments. Locally available fuel is much less expensive, and in the case of renewables such as hydroelectric (water), solar (the sun) and biomass (waste), it is free.
- Symbion's power investments are aimed at benefiting the public by reducing the cost of electricity and making the power cheaper for the utility, the government and the consumers. All our investments have a long term, strategic outlook that is based on what is in the best interests of the country and its people.
About Symbion Power
Symbion Power is one of the most dynamic US power sector firms in the electricity generation, transmission and distribution industry with an established presence in sub-Saharan Africa. symbion-power.com
ABOUT VISION MADAGASCAR
VISION MADAGASCAR (ViMa) was founded in 2000 by Zouzar Bouka. Extensively referenced for its architectural achievements such as the City Hall of Antananarivo and the South African Embassy, ViMa's latest venture is the 79‐acre Majunga Free Trade Hub with 650,000 square feet undercover: "a one‐stop logistics hub for our resources sector on the west coast." Ventures including ViMa Oil & Gas, ViMa Mining and ViMa Woods (operating to FSC standards) position as a major contributor to the development of a country in which private enterprise contributes fully to improving Malagasy quality of life. ViMa 's association with brands like sporting promoter ASO, Regus business centres, Imax and the World Trade Center are making it a truly global player. visionmadagascar.com
contact
WTC
Mercedes Ratsirahonana | +261 32 07 846 56 I mercedes.ra@wtctana.com
Symbion
Julie Foster | +1 917 282 9310 | julie.foster@symbion-power.com
Follow us on Twitter: @symbionpower
