Two Wärtsilä powergen projects in Guyana and El Salvador

Two different but very significant Wärtsilä powergen projects are taking place in Guyana and El Salvador, Southern and Central America respectively (here, some more widespread plants managed by the Finnish company).

In Guyana, a contract for a 46.5 MW dual-fuel power plant at the Garden of Eden Generating Complex was signed. The project will be an immediate boost to the reliability of Guyana’s electricity system and will support near term integration of renewables into the grid.

Dual-fuel fired generating units

Oil exploration activities in the offshore waters of Guyana have resulted in significant finds of crude oil and associated gas. As a result, the potential utilisation of natural gas led the commissioner to make the strategic decision to opt for dual-fuel fired generating units, able to operate on both natural gas and liquid fuels.

The new power plant will, therefore, operate on five highly efficient Wärtsilä 34DF dual-fuel engines that will initially run on liquid fuel, and on natural gas when that fuel becomes available.

LIEBHERR AND WARTSILA FOR MARINE ENGINES

Wärtsilä powergen projects in El Salvador: an O&M agreement

In El Salvador, Wärtsilä has signed a long-term Operation & Maintenance (O&M) agreement with Energía del Pacífico for a 378 MW power plant. The 15-year agreement will take effect when the plant commences operations at the end of 2021.

The power plant comprises 19 Wärtsilä 50SG engines running on natural gas fuel, and a steam turbine in a highly efficient Flexicycle combined cycle arrangement. The Dry Flexicycle technology with a closed-loop cooling system has zero water consumption, which is a major environmental benefit. This plant will be the largest and most efficient power plant in El Salvador. It will provide approximately one third of the country’s electricity supply with clean electricity and will help reduce the country’s dependence on oil and heavy fuel oil for power generation.