HFO and Diesel Power Plant EPC — Remote and Island Applications
Where gas is not available and the grid will not reach, liquid fuel still delivers the most reliable megawatt per dollar of capital.
HFO and diesel plants remain the default for mines, islands and remote industrial sites. They are simple, proven and can be built almost anywhere with a fuel supply. The engineering challenge is not the engine — it is the fuel treatment, the heat balance and the logistics of getting heavy fuel to site.
On HFO plants, fuel viscosity and the heating system determine whether the plant runs reliably or fouls its separators every month. We design the fuel treatment train around the actual fuel assay, including the worst-case cold-flow properties at site ambient temperature.
Where this plant type fits
- Mining sites — Heavy fuel oil or dual-fuel plants for off-grid mines with high ambient temperature and dust.
- Island grids — Diesel and HFO plants supplying whole island communities, often combined with renewables.
- Remote industry — Plantations, processing plants and construction projects beyond the grid.
- Emergency and standby — Fast-start capacity for critical facilities and grid support.
Quick facts
Typical project duration and full scope detail are set out below. For a specific site, ask us for a preliminary configuration.
Request a quoteTypical technical range
Values below are the range we design within. The final specification follows the fuel analysis and site conditions.
| Parameter | Range / Description |
|---|---|
| Capacity range | 1 – 100 MW |
| Fuel types | HFO (up to 380 cSt), LFO, diesel, dual fuel |
| Fuel treatment | Settling, centrifugation, viscosity control, sludge handling |
| Electrical efficiency | 40 – 45% for modern medium-speed engines |
| Heat recovery | Jacket water, lube oil and exhaust for fuel heating and site hot water |
| Typical construction period | 9 – 18 months |
What is in and what is out
An explicit boundary is the difference between a quotation and a contract. This is the standard split for a hfo & diesel power plants project.
- Fuel assay review and treatment system design
- Engine generator sets and auxiliaries
- Fuel storage, transfer and treatment package
- Electrical system, protection and control
- Erection, commissioning and performance test
- Spare parts and operator training
- Fuel supply and shipping logistics
- Jetty or road access works
- Emission abatement beyond local requirements
- Long-term fuel price hedging
Frequently asked questions
Answers to the questions we are asked most often on this subject. If yours is not here, ask us directly.
HFO or diesel — which is more economical?
HFO is cheaper per tonne but requires heating, treatment and larger storage, and it costs more to maintain. Below roughly 5 MW, or where the plant runs fewer than 4,000 hours a year, diesel usually wins on total cost. Above 10 MW with base-load operation, HFO is normally clearly cheaper.
Can the plant be hybridised with solar?
Yes, and it is increasingly common on islands. The engine plant provides frequency and voltage support while PV supplies daytime energy, cutting fuel consumption by 15–30%. The control system must be able to handle high renewable penetration, which changes the engine specification.
How much fuel storage should we plan for?
We normally size for 20–30 days of full-load operation for island sites and 10–15 days where road or sea delivery is reliable. Storage cost is significant, so this is a commercial decision as much as a technical one.
Other solutions that may fit
Gas Engine Power Plants
Fast, modular and highly efficient: gas engine plants are usually the quickest route from a gas source to reliable electricity.
View solution →Captive & Industrial Power Plants
When grid supply is unreliable or too expensive, a captive plant turns a cost centre into a controlled operating cost.
View solution →Tell us what you need to build.
Send us the fuel type, target capacity and site country. We will reply with a preliminary configuration, an indicative budget range and the questions we still need answered.