By Oke PeterTechnology group Wärtsilä has entered a five-year Operation and Maintenance (O&M) agreement with Boto SA, a subsidiary of Moroccan mining group, Managem, for a 23 MW captive power plant at the Boto Gold Project in eastern Senegal. This milestone project represents a development in support of Senegal's rapidly expanding mining and energy sector, and aligns with the transition towards a more sustainable energy mix. The agreement was booked in Wärtsilä’s order intake in Q2 2025.The power plant, designed to support gold mining operations in a remote, off-grid location, includes a tailored optimisation plan aligned with local mining and energy requirements, in line with the national Plan Sénégal Émergent. Located 88 km from Kédougou, near the Mali and Guinea borders, the Boto Gold Project will be powered by six Wärtsilä 32 engines (2.7 MW each) and four high-speed diesel generators (1.5 MW each). The O&M agreement includes operating and maintaining the engines, advanced AI-powered anomaly detection and remote operational support, ensuring peak performance, optimised fuel use, and minimal downtime.Wartsila Smart Energy vision, night time

In accordance with Senegalese regulatory framework, mining companies are required to operate their own power plants in these areas, making reliable and cost-efficient energy solutions crucial for gold production and industrial growth.

“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 renewable integration,” says Driss Mounji, Chief International Operations Officer at Managem Group.“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 Marc Thiriet, Energy Business Director, Africa at Wärtsilä Energy. “This project demonstrates Wärtsilä’s deep understanding of Senegal’s energy landscape and our ability to operate in alignment with the country's industrial growth and energy independence goals. Wärtsilä’s flexible engine technology allows for future integration of solar energy, supporting Senegal’s broader push toward renewable energy and sustainable industrialisation.”

The contract is 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 like mining.