Pampa Energia, Argentina’s largest fully integrated electricity company, has contracted Siemens to service and upgrade the Central Termoeléctrica Nehuenco-I plant with the latter’s SPPA-T3000 power plant automation system. The first deal covers the SGT5-2000E gas turbine, operating at the Genelba 21 simple-cycle power plant for 10 years.
The other is an eight-year service and maintenance agreement for the two SGT5-4000F gas turbines and the SST-5000 steam turbine in operation at the Genelba combined-cycle power plant.
Both plants are situated in Marcos Paz, in the greater Buenos Aires urban agglomeration, and add a combined 825 MW of capacity to the region, enough to power approximately 83,000 homes.
"As Argentina works to strengthen its energy infrastructure, the continued reliability of its power plants is of vital importance," Tim Frace, VP Siemens Power Generation Services for Latin America said. He underlined that the German OEM is “committed to providing [our] innovative service, maintenance products and digital service solutions to Pampa Energia, as well as our engineering expertise and local support.”
The agreements cover spare parts, repairs, logistics support, field services as well as Siemens Power Diagnostic, a data-driven solution.
Genelba 21 will see an upgrade of the plant’s gas turbine blades with Siemens' Si3D blades. These novel blade type is designed to improve power output and thermal efficiency through a combination of 3D aerodynamic design, advanced sealing, cooling improvements, and advanced materials.
At the Genelba combined-cycle plant, Siemens will upgrade the inlet guide vane system (IGV) on the plant's turbines. The IGV upgrade optimizes performance and increases the power from the gas turbines by adjusting the IGV positioning system to function at a wider operating range.
Siemens latest order win in Argentina builds on a 2016 letter of agreement, signed with the Argentine government, to intensify cooperation in the energy sector and beyond.