This grid stability power plant project is an excellent example of Wärtsilä’s ability to provide smart power generation solutions. The superior operational flexibility, high simple cycle energy efficiency, and multi-fuel capability provide an excellent means for Estonia to secure its electricity supply.
Wärtsilä has been awarded a contract to supply two complete power plants with a total output of 250 MW for Elering AS, the Estonian transmission system operator. The total value of the order is EUR 129 million. The first power plant is scheduled to be in operation in the spring 2013, with the second unit due to be operational by the autumn 2014.
The power plants will provide dynamic generation capacity to meet sudden and unexpected drops in the electricity supply. The power plant project is part of the Estonian electricity sector’s development plan to have new dynamic power stations available for operation by 2018 in order to guarantee security of the nation’s electricity supply. The requirement for these plants is that they have to be able to compensate for lost generating capacity in no more than 15 minutes in the event of a plant shut down. The 10-minute start-up capability of the Wärtsilä power plants is, therefore, essential.
The power plants are based on Wärtsilä 20V34DF engines, which will operate primarily on natural gas but with the option to switch to light fuel oil as a back-up fuel. These dynamic grid stability plants will operate on average of 200 hours per year. The contract also includes a two year maintenance agreement, with an option of ten years extension.
“This is an important project for the Estonian energy sector, and one that will ensure the supply of electricity to consumers should any existing power station unexpectedly lose production. The capacity of the new plants is equal to one-sixth of Estonia’s peak demand, so in an emergency they will be able to cover a large part of the capital, Tallinn’s, winter electricity consumption,” says Mr Taavi Veskimägi, Elering’s Chairman.
“This grid stability power plant project is an excellent example of Wärtsilä’s ability to provide smart power generation solutions. It meets the needs of the customer in terms of fuel and operational flexibility, as well as providing a reliable means of securing Estonia’s electricity supply,” says Mr Vesa Riihimäki, Group Vice President, Wärtsilä Power Plants.
The plants will be connected to Estonia’s 110kV and 330kV grid, and the project is the first full turnkey engineering, procurement and construction endeavour to be built in the country under the new EU regulations.
The power plants will be optimally located close to the Kiisa substation, about 25 kilometres from Tallinn. The advantage of this region is the strong connections from this substation through high-voltage lines to the other substations in Estonia.
Wärtsilä has been present in Estonia since 2005, providing sales and services to customers throughout the Baltic region. Globally, Wärtsilä has delivered 4,500 power plants in 168 countries with generating capacity totalling more than 47 GW.
PRESS CONFERENCE
A press conference will be held on Wednesday 29 June 2011, at 12 noon local time (10 am UK time), at Radisson Blue hotel, Rävala Puiestee 3, Tallinn, Estonia. The combined web- and teleconference will be held in English and can be viewed on the internet at the following address: http://storm.zoomvisionmamato.com/player/wartsila/objects/z9v1450q/
Dial in numbers for the participants joining the Conference call are:
UK: +44 (0)207 509 5139
US: 1866 629 2704
FIN: +358 (0) 969379735
EST: 8000 111 276
Confirmation Number: 5158640
If you wish to ask questions during the teleconference, press the *-button followed by the 1-button on your phone to register for a question and the # -key to withdraw a question. The event name is: Elering-Wärtsilä press conference. Please be ready to state your details and the name of the conference to the operator. If problems occur, please press the *-button followed by the 0-button.
An on-demand version of the webcast will be available on the company website later the same day.
Link to picture
Caption: Dynamic grid stability power plant in Estonia
For further information, please contact:
Vesa Riihimäki
Group Vice President, Wärtsilä Power Plants
Wärtsilä Corporation
Tel. +358 40 504 5929
vesa.riihimaki@wartsila.com
Tuula Franck
Senior Manager, Media and Stakeholder Relations
Wärtsilä Corporation
Tel: +358 400 267555
tuula.franck@wartsila.com
Wärtsilä in brief
Wärtsilä is a global leader in complete lifecycle power solutions for the marine and energy markets. By emphasising technological innovation and total efficiency, Wärtsilä maximises the environmental and economic performance of the vessels and power plants of its customers.
In 2010, Wärtsilä’s net sales totalled EUR 4.6 billion with more than 17,500 employees. The company has operations in 160 locations in 70 countries around the world. Wärtsilä is listed on the NASDAQ OMX Helsinki, Finland.
