Wärtsilä is to supply a 75 MW liquid biofuel power plant to the Italian city of Acerra, near Naples. The EUR 60 million turnkey contract was awarded by Fri-El Acerra Srl, an independent power producer.
The engineering, procurement and construction contract includes not only the supply of four Wärtsilä 46 gensets with combined cycle in order to maximise electricity production, but everything else from the supply of a fuel unloading area to grid connection systems. An Operation & Maintenance agreement is also under negotiation.
When installed, the plant will replace two gas turbines and run on palm oil that, in part, will be cultivated from plantations owned by Fri-El. It is expected to be on line and supplying power to the grid in October 2007.
Fri-El, a specialist in power generation from renewable energy sources, is expected to benefit from the “Green Certificate” incentives introduced by the Italian Government to meet the requirements of the Kyoto Protocol. The plant will emit practically zero CO2 emissions, keeping the plant in line with Italy’s target for reducing greenhouse gas emission.
“The Fri-El plant is a major milestone for us within the renewables market as it shows that we have built a reputation in the market for our applications and solutions,” said Marco Golinelli, Wärtsilä’s Vice President, Power Plants in Italy. “Energy from liquid biofuels offers important advantages,” says Mr Golinelli. “Biofuels enable the simultaneous generation of electricity and heat with no sulphur emissions and no consumption of fossil fuel resources. As the biofuels are classed as renewable, no additional CO2 is emitted and they thus contribute to reducing the greenhouse effect.”
Today, Wärtsilä has 25 MW of liquid biofuel plants in operation in Italy. Including the Fri-El plant, there are 230 MW more under construction or on order.
For further information please contact Ms Eeva Kainulainen, Vice President, Corporate Communications, tel +358 10 709 5235.
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 12,000 professionals manning 130 Wärtsilä offices in over 60 countries around the world.
