Press Release

Wärtsilä to supply major gas engine power plant to Russia

Wärtsilä Corporation, Press release, 22 May 2013 at 9.30 am EET
 
An important step in the use of combustion engine technology for major power plant projects was taken with the award of this order to Wärtsilä. The new power plant will be powered by Wärtsilä’s leading edge technology and will be the first of its kind in Russia. It will provide a reliable and efficient electricity supply for large industrial consumers, while meeting the highly variable load requirements with extreme flexibility and fast response.
 
Wärtsilä, a leading global supplier of efficient and flexible power plant solutions, has been awarded the contract to supply a major power plant for Russia. The 110 MW unit will be by far the largest power plant running on Wärtsilä engines in Russia. It is also the first time that combustion engine technology has been selected to power a plant of this size anywhere in the country.
 
The order was placed in April 2013 by Transmashenergo, an independent power producer, and the power plant is to be located in Tikhvin in Russia’s Leningrad region. It will run on natural gas using six Wärtsilä 50SG engines. Wärtsilä will supply the engineering – both basic and detailed, the generating sets with auxiliary modules and systems, automation and control equipment, the electrical system, and the engine hall complete with stacks fitted with carbon monoxide control catalysts. Wärtsilä will also provide installation and commissioning assistance, and training.
 
The plant will be connected to the grid, although the primary purpose of the project is to provide a reliable and efficient electricity supply for local industrial consumers. Since the load requirement for such users has a high degree of variability and is at times extremely demanding, flexibility and fast response were important considerations in the decision making process. The plant is scheduled to be constructed by the end of 2014.
 
"Wärtsilä was able to demonstrate the technical and economic benefits of its combustion engine technology through its global references. Dealing with a single source supplier having a comprehensive offering also saves us both time and costs," says Vladimir Zhadan, General Director, Transmashenergo.
 
"This globally significant order represents further evidence of the need for, and the acceptance of, Wärtsilä’s Smart Power Generation concept. By providing high energy efficiency with flexibility, our gas engine technology can meet the most challenging demands. Furthermore, the Tikhvin plant will enhance efficiency by lowering the cost per kW versus the current grid tariff," says Vesa Riihimäki, President, Wärtsilä Power Plants.
 
Smart Power Generation
 
Smart Power Generation is a new concept which enables an existing power system to operate at its maximum efficiency by most effectively absorbing current and future system load variations, thus providing dramatic savings.

Wärtsilä is the global leader in Smart Power Generation. Wärtsilä’s combustion engine technology and power plant solutions have been developed to provide a unique combination of valuable features that enable new horizons for future sustainable, reliable and affordable national power systems.
 
For further information, please contact:
 
Alf Doktar
Regional Director, Europe East
Power Plants Sales, Wärtsilä Finland
Tel: +358 40 586 6946
[email protected]

Tuula Franck
Senior Manager, Media and Stakeholder Relations
Wärtsilä Corporation
Tel: +358 400 267555
[email protected]

Wärtsilä in Russia
 
During the past 30 years, Wärtsilä has been able to develop a strong position in Russia by providing a broad range of technically advanced solutions, products and services. Currently, Wärtsilä employs more than 130 people in Russia.
 
More than 50 power plant projects have been realised by Wärtsilä in Russia, providing 700 MW of installed power capacity. As an example, the Russian town of Salekhard has benefited from a reliable supply of electricity generated by Wärtsilä power plants for more than 10 years.
 
Wärtsilä engines also power hundreds of marine vessels in the country, and have a combined total power capacity of almost 900 MW.
 
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 2012, Wärtsilä’s net sales totalled EUR 4.7 billion with approximately 18,900 employees. The company has operations in nearly 170 locations in 70 countries around the world. Wärtsilä is listed on the NASDAQ OMX Helsinki, Finland.
www.wartsila.com