Dangote Cement has signed an agreement with General Electric (GE) to deploy an Asset Performance Management (APM) solution to reduce unplanned downtime and enhance performance of power generation assets at two cement plants in Obajana and Ibese, Nigeria.

The project also includes extending the current service agreement for the seven GE LM6000PC aeroderivative gas turbines installed at the sites for an additional 50,000 operating hours.

"We are proud to continue our 13-year collaboration with Dangote Cement to help them support Nigeria and other African countries towards achieving self-reliance and self-sufficiency in the world’s most basic commodities," said Elisee Sezan, CEO for GE’s Gas Power businesses in sub-Saharan Africa.

APM is a digital solution which monitors the performance of power generation assets to reduce downtime, avoid turbines damage and remotely predict and resolve issues, according to a press release. APM sensors will be installed not only on the seven aeroderivative turbines, but also on their associated generators and gearboxes to predict and accurately diagnose issues with greater accuracy before they occur, says GE in a statement.