Mexico’s state-owned CFE has contracted Siemens to provide long-term service and maintenance at four power plants with a combined capacity of 2,727 MW for a period of sixteen years.
The service agreement covers the eight gas turbines and related auxiliaries to be delivered to the Valle de México (two SGT6-8000H units), Empalme I (two SGT6-8000H units), Empalme II (two SGT6-8000H units) and Tula (two SGT6-5000F units) combined cycle power plants in Mexico for a period of 16 years.
The 615 MW Valle de México plant is being built in Acolman, central Mexico, and is scheduled to begin commercial operation in late 2017.
The Empalme I CCGT, located in Sonora, will have an installed capacity of 770 MW. Once operational in late 2017, it will supply electricity to the northern region of Mexico, where CFE expects energy demand to grow at a rate of 3.6% annually. Moreover, the 791MW Empalme II power plant, also in the Sonora area, is due to start up in April 2018.
As part of a repowering project, two SGT6-5000F gas turbines will be used in two 1x1 configurations for the Tula 1 and 2 combined-cycle power blocks, located in Hidalgo in central Mexico. Together, the two blocks will have an installed capacity of 550 MW. Commercial operation is scheduled for spring 2017.
"These long-term service programs will help ensure the availability and reliability of Mexico's electricity supply for many years to come," said Tim Holt, CEO, Siemens Power Generation Services. "Siemens is fully dedicated to supporting CFE in modernising its installed power generation capacity so it can compete in the market recently created in Mexico with the Energy Reform.”
The deal allows Siemens to grow its fleet of H-class gas turbines in Mexico, as well as and the deployment of its latest F-class equipment at the Tula plant.