Stockport, 12 July 2005. After 12 weeks of work under difficult conditions the first of three MAN B&W Diesel engines has been overhauled and re-commissioned at the Wesha power station on the island of Pemba. At a ceremony on Monday 20th June Tanzania Television televised the ceremony which saw the first generator go back into regular service.

Earlier this year after four years of negotiation, a contract had been awarded to MAN B&W Diesel Ltd, UK to supply a comprehensive parts and service package to the State Fuel and Power Corporation in Zanzibar, Tanzania.

The contract was for the rehabilitation of three MAN B&W Diesel K5 Major engines, which were originally manufactured by Mirrlees Blackstone (now part of MAN B&W Diesel) which were supplied in the early 1980s.

The engines provide the sole power for the entire island and the Norwegian funding agency (NORAD) have provided the funding for this project. As a result of the first engine being returned to service there has already been an improvement to the islands electricity supply. The second engine is scheduled for return to service in two weeks time and all three sets by the end of July 2005.

After many years of operation without regular servicing or maintenance the engines will be returned to full reliable operating condition. Following this work a regular supply of spare parts and full servicing will be available to the customer.