Wärtsilä has received an order for a power plant, valued at EUR 80 million, to be delivered to Brazil. This latest order follows two others, also for Brazil, signed in March 2008. All three plants are due to be operational by the beginning of 2010.
This new order has been placed by Maracanaú Geradora de Energia SA, an independent power producer. The engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contract is for a 168 MWe power plant to be installed at Fortaleza, in Ceará State in northeastern Brazil.
Wärtsilä will supply the powerhouse, as well as ancillary systems and related buildings. An existing fuel storage and high voltage substation will be used. Construction will begin in August 2008, and Wärtsilä is also negotiating an agreement to fully operate and maintain the plant.
The customer is contracted by 36 distribution companies through an energy auction held by Agência Nacional de Energia Elétrica (National Agency of Electrical Energy) in July 2007 to provide flexible power production as stand-by power for hydro generation, which accounts for some 90% of the country’s electricity production. The Maracanaú plant is expected to be operational for approximately 2000 hours/year when water reservoirs are low, between December and April. Since Brazil produces its own oil, domestic fuel can be used to cover the energy gap during the critical energy supply periods when there is not sufficient water for hydro generation.
“Wärtsilä’s flexible engine technology is ideally suited for this kind of application,” explains Robson Campos, Regional Director, Wärtsilä in Brazil. “The high overall efficiency of the Wärtsilä engines, together with the company’s ability to provide a total power solution, including operations and maintenance if required, were key factors in our obtaining this valuable order.”
First order for Wärtsilä 20V46F engines
The power plant will comprise eight Wärtsilä 20V46F engines running on heavy fuel oil. This is the first order for this particular engine, which was launched in September 2007. It develops 23 MW at 600 rpm, making it suitable for both 50 and 60 Hz electricity generation. The new Wärtsilä 46F is especially environmentally friendly. It offers more power and less emissions than the existing 18-cylinder Wärtsilä 46 engine, while maintaining the high energy efficiency. Therefore the Wärtsilä 20V46F offers more value for money with lower lifecycle costs.
To date Wärtsilä has designed, projected and installed 17 power plants in Brazil. These power plants – including this new order together with the two orders received in March 2008, will produce a combined generating capacity of 1300 MWe.
Wärtsilä in brief
Wärtsilä enhances the business of its customers by providing them with complete lifecycle power solutions. When creating better and environmentally compatible technologies, Wärtsilä focuses on the marine and energy markets with products and solutions as well as services. Through innovative products and services, Wärtsilä sets out to be the most valued business partner of all its customers. This is achieved by the dedication of more than 17,000 professionals manning 160 Wärtsilä locations in 70 countries around the world. Wärtsilä is listed on The Nordic Exchange in Helsinki, Finland.
For further information, please contact:
Maria Nystrand
Public Relations Manager, Power Plants
Wärtsilä Corporation
Direct tel: +358 10 709 1456
Direct fax: +358 10 709 1425
e-mail: maria.nystrand@wartsila.com
