SINOKLE Facilitates Successful Commissioning of Heavy Oil Power Plant in Sierra Leone
Pic 1. Panoramagram of Heavy Oil Power Plant in New Tonkolili, Sierra Leone
On the evening of June 3, 2025 local time, the first unit of the 43.65 MW heavy oil power plant project for the New Tonkolili iron concentrator plant in Sierra Leone, constructed by PowerChina, has successfully achieved grid-connected power generation. This marks a major milestone in the project’s development. SINOKLE, as the core vendor of wastewater treatment system for this project, provided a complete set of treatment equipment centered on the dual-stage Cyclonic Dissolved Gas Flotation Unit (CDFU) and KFM Activated Media Filter, with a designed daily capacity of 120 cubic meters. The entire treatment process does not require any chemical additives, relying solely on physical processes for efficient oil removal. These features ensure the power plant strictly compliance with local environmental regulations.
Project Overview
New Tonkolili Iron Mine is located in the New Tonkolili mining area of Sierra Leone’s Northern Province, covering a total area of 408 square kilometers. It ranks as one of the world’s largest single magnetite reserves by proven deposits. This self-provided power plant project which is aiming at generating stable power supply for the concentrator plant, is funded and constructed by Leone Rock Metals Group (LRMG). The total capacity of assembled machines of this power station reaches 43.65 MW, equipped with 5 heavy-fuel oil generating units from South Korea, 55 MVA main transformer, and a 2.3-kilometer 35 kV overhead transmission line connecting to the concentrator plant. Additionally, the project has newly constructed two 2,500 cubic meter heavy oil storage tank along with auxiliary heating systems at Pepel Port.
Pic 2. Inner View of New Tonkolili Heavy Oil Power Plant, Sierra Leone
Highlights of SINOKLE’s Wastewater Treatment Technology
In order to make sure effective treatment of wastewater generated during the daily operation of power plant, the company has developed a customized advanced wastewater treatment solution for the project. The core equipment includes:
1. Dual-stage CDFU: Through combining cyclonic technology and gas flotation technology, oil and suspended solids (SS) are rapidly separated from the wastewater, which ensure the effluent meet the stringent environmental compliance. The system uses purely physical treatment process, without any chemical additives, which reduces the operation cost and significantly minimizes the risk of secondary pollution. It provides strong support for the green and sustainable development of this project.
2. KFM Activated Media Filter: For further in-depth purification and adsorption of residual pollutants, the system ensure clear effluent discharge.
3. This set of wastewater treatment equipment for the heavy oil power plant has successfully commissioned in many countries including: Bangladesh, Guinea and so on.
Pic. 3 The Whole Set of Oily Wastewater Treatment Equipment in
New Tonkolili Heavy Oil Power Plant, Sierra Leone
Project Construction Process
Since the construction commencement in May 2024, the project's construction team has overcome significant challenges, including: prolonged rainy seasons, scarce equipment and materials, transportation barriers, and complex logistics. Through meticulous project management and a “Sea-Land-Air” integrated logistics strategy, the construction team has successfully achieved all critical milestones on schedule:
1. October 2024 - Topping-out of central control building structure.
2. February 2025 - Back-feeding power supple activated.
3. April 2025 - main generator unit installation .
4. May 2025 - Full commissioning readiness achieved.
SINOKLE’s wastewater treatment system was installed and commissioned in parallel with the power plant construction, ensuring seamless integration with the overall project timeline. This provided critical assurance for the first unit’s grid-connected operation.
Project Meaning
The successful of investment and production of heavy oil self-provided power plant in New Tonkolili iron mine concentrator plant not only provides stable electricity assurance, but also promotes local economic development and employment opportunities. SINOKLE’s advanced wastewater treatment technology has laid a solid foundation for the project’s environmentally compliant operation, demonstrating the innovative capabilities of Chinese enterprises in green technology field. The successful implementation of this project further improve the PowerChina and SINOKLE’s brand reputation in the oversea market. This achievement has injected new vitality into the China-Sierra Leone co-construction of the Belt and Road Initiative, showcasing the comprehensive capabilities of Chinese enterprises in the global energy and environmental protection sectors.
