Wärtsilä, a leading provider of power plants for distributed and flexible power generation, has received another major order from Pakistan. This latest EPC (engineering, procurement and construction) order is worth EUR 131 million, and has been placed by Nishat Chunian Power Ltd., an independent power producer (IPP), and will supply electricity to the country’s national grid.
The combined cycle plant will have a total gross electrical power output of 200 MWe. This order follows one signed by Wärtsilä earlier this year, and together these two projects, in combination with other Wärtsilä power plants already under construction or in operation in Pakistan, will produce a total generating capacity of more than 1500 MWe.
The Nishat Chunian combined cycle plant is due to be commissioned in March 2010. It will be located on the same site as the Nishat power plant in Jambar Kalan, Kasur District, near Lahore.
“Wärtsilä and the Nishat Group have worked together as one team throughout the development of both our IPP projects. Our first IPP project, developed by Nishat Power Ltd., is under construction, and we are very happy with the level of support that we have received from Wärtsilä. We were, therefore, pleased to award our second IPP project, developed by Nishat Chunian Ltd., also to Wärtsilä,” says Mr Mian Mohammad Mansha, Chairman of the Nishat Group.
The Nishat Chunian combined cycle solution will comprise eleven Wärtsilä 18V46 generating sets, with exhaust recovery boilers supplying steam to a single steam turbine. The efficiency of Wärtsilä’s reciprocating engines is enhanced even further with the combined cycle concept. The Nishat Chunian power plant will have a notably high overall efficiency of 45 percent for the lifetime of the plant when running on heavy fuel oil at site conditions. This level of efficiency on low-cost fuel oil will enable the generating costs to be very competitive.
Wärtsilä will not only supply the plant equipment, but will also erect, test and commission the plant and provide local construction supervision. An O&M contract to operate and maintain the power plant is also under negotiation.
“As the leading supplier of power plants for their captive use, and now for their IPP business, Wärtsilä has enjoyed a long standing relationship with the Nishat Group. In fact, with the Nishat Power and Nishat Chunian installations, they will become our largest customer in Pakistan, with over 490 MW of installed capacity by 2010. We are especially pleased to have been awarded this project contract, and look forward to serving the Nishat Group throughout lifecycle of both projects. This order endorses not only the reputation of the Wärtsilä, but also the support service capability that we are able to provide from our regional office in Lahore,” says Nomi Ahmad, Regional Director, Middle East, Wärtsilä Power Plants.
Both Nishat Chunian Power Ltd. and Nishat Power Ltd. are IPPs and members of the Nishat Group. The two IPPs have signed Power Purchase Agreements with the National Transmission & Despatch Company, and Implementation Agreements with the Government of Pakistan under the 2002 Energy Policy of Pakistan.
The Nishat Group is one of the leading business groups in Pakistan with interests in the textile, cement, insurance and banking sectors.
For further information, please contact:
Ghazanfar Mirza
Managing Director
Wärtsilä Pakistan (Pvt.) Ltd.
Direct tel: +92 42 541 8846
Mobile: +92 300 845 5636
ghazanfar.mirza@wartsila.com
Maria Nystrand
Public Relations Manager, Power Plants
Wärtsilä Corporation
Direct tel: +358 10 709 1456
maria.nystrand@wartsila.com
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.
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