Wartsila is to supply a 101 MW gas-fired power plant to electricity generator Pampa Energia in Argentina.
Wartsila will deliver a turnkey solution, including the engineering, procurement and construction (EPC). The Eur75 million project includes the supply of Wartsila's 50DF multi-fuel engines running on natural gas, and when necessary, heavy-fuel oil (HFO) as a back-up fuel, the company said in a statement.
The power plant will be delivered during 2017 and is scheduled to be fully operational in December 2017 “making this a fast-track delivery from Wartsila” it said.
The new generating unit will be located within Pampa Energia's Central Piedra Buena power plant, near the Ingeniero White port and close to Bahia Blanca city in the Buenos Aires Province.
“ This location is important for two reasons, firstly, it is a key location within the high voltage grid in Argentina” and “secondly, the area offers secure access to HFO that is used as back-up fuel for the power plant” Wartila stressed.
“Wartsila’s multi-fuel technology is very important in Argentina today as gas shortages occur on a regular basis” it said, adding that “due to the fact that HFO is more affordable than light-fuel oil (LFO), the Wartsila technology offers Pampa Energia a more economical solution compared to gas turbine technology.”
“Argentina is undergoing constant development of its power system and preparing for the entrance of renewable energy sources” the company also explained, adding that “CAMMESA, the national grid system operator, recognizes that thanks to its fast start and stop capability, engine-based power generation technology is well suited for balancing the fluctuations caused by intermittent renewable power.
Wartsila's technology “allows us to choose HFO as back-up instead of LFO, which is the option with gas turbines” commented Rubén Turienzo commercial director at Pampa Energía.
“We are also happy to see that our technology is recognized as an enabler of renewable energy in Argentina,” says Gaston Giani, business development manager at Wartsila.
This is the sixth project awarded to the company Argentina over 2016, and is the second project with Pampa Energía this year, after a 100 MW power plant project to be built with Albares Renovables, a subsidiary of Pampa Energía, Wartsila said.