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The technology group Wärtsilä has signed a long-term Operation & maintenance (O&M) agreement with Energía del Pacífico for a 378 MW power plant in El Salvador. The 15-year agreement was signed in Q4 2019 and will take effect when the plant commences operations at the end of 2021. Wärtsilä will start to recognise order intake once the plant has been commissioned.

The power plant comprises 19 Wärtsilä 50SG engines running on natural gas fuel, and a steam turbine in a highly efficient Flexicycle combined cycle arrangement. The Dry Flexicycle technology with a closed-loop cooling system has zero water consumption, which is a major environmental benefit. This plant will be the largest and most efficient power plant in El Salvador. It will provide approximately one third of the country’s electricity supply with clean electricity and will help reduce the country’s dependence on oil and heavy fuel oil for power generation.

“Wärtsilä has valuable experience in successfully operating and maintaining Flexicycle plants, which is why we are pleased to have a lifecycle solution from Wärtsilä,” said Joel Schroeder, Vice President, Thermal Engineering. “This is a transformational energy investment for El Salvador. The project will deliver significant environmental benefits, and with Wärtsilä’s efficient and reliable gas engine technology, it will provide clean and reliable power to the country.”

“Long-term O&M agreements are a key element in our lifecycle support strategy. They provide guaranteed performance, and cost and operational predictability. By supplying the equipment, and then operating and maintaining it, we can offer a total support solution that ensures optimal performance,” commented Jean-Christophe Reymond, General Manager, Agreement Sales at Wärtsilä Energy Business.

The flexibility of the Wärtsilä engines, with their fast-starting and load following capabilities, means that the system can accommodate increased levels of energy from renewable sources, such as solar and wind. This will further add to the sustainability of the plant, which will be one of the first in Central America to utilise LNG as fuel.

Wärtsilä will locally hire, employ, and train some 40 people, to operate and maintain the power plant.

With the addition of this plant, Wärtsilä’s installed capacity in Central America and the Caribbean is approximately 5 GW and globally 72 GW.

Caption: Wärtsilä will operate and maintain Energía del Pacífico’s 378 MW power plant in El Salvador for the next 15 years when the plant commences operations at the end of 2021.

Earlier published press release: Site work commences for Wärtsilä 378 MW power plant in El Salvador

Read more about Wärtsilä Lifecycle solutions for energy industry
 

For more information, please contact:

Sampo Suvisaari
Energy Business Director, Latin America North
Wärtsilä Energy Business
Mob.+1 713 474 6904
Sampo.suvisaari@wartsila.com

Mirja-Maija Santala
Manager, Marketing & Communications
Wärtsilä Energy Business
Mob: +358 400 793 827
mirja-maija.santala@wartsila.com

Wärtsilä Energy Business in brief
Wärtsilä Energy Business leads the transition towards a 100% renewable energy future. We help our customers unlock the value of the energy transition by optimising their energy systems and future-proofing their assets. Our offering comprises flexible power plants, energy management systems, and storage, as well as lifecycle services that ensure increased efficiency and guaranteed performance. Wärtsilä has delivered 72 GW of power plant capacity in 180 countries around the world.
https://www.wartsila.com/energy/

Wärtsilä in brief
Wärtsilä is a global leader in smart technologies and complete lifecycle solutions for the marine and energy markets. By emphasising sustainable innovation, total efficiency and data analytics, Wärtsilä maximises the environmental and economic performance of the vessels and power plants of its customers. In 2019, Wärtsilä’s net sales totalled EUR 5.2 billion with approximately 19,000 employees. The company has operations in over 200 locations in more than 80 countries around the world. Wärtsilä is listed on Nasdaq Helsinki.
www.wartsila.com