Deliver Your News to the World

Cost and Schedule Pressures Drive Project Management Innovation in Asia

* Two Thai power plants located 800 kilometers apart completed at the same time, by one team
* 1.5 million homes to benefit from 1,530 megawatts of much-needed additional power


Bangkok, Thailand – WEBWIRE

Cost pressures and the race to bridge electricity gaps across Asia are prompting engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) providers to consider and adopt alternative project management approaches to ensure more energy is brought to market in a quicker, reliable and more cost effective manner.  

The successful completion of Chana 2 and Wang Noi 4 in Thailand is an example of such new thinking. For the first time in Thailand, many critical elements of two large power plants were managed and executed by the same team in parallel. 

Commissioned by Marubeni Corporation in 2011, Black & Veatch worked on Chana 2 and Wang Noi 4 with almost identical schedules as well as with the same project management and core design team. This is despite the fact that the two plants are of different configurations and site conditions, and located approximately 800 kilometers apart.  

“Asia’s growth rate hinges largely on how much infrastructure can be delivered in the coming years. We are increasingly seeing power developers recalibrate their approaches to increase speed in which they deliver power solutions to the market,” said John Gustke, Senior Vice President of Black & Veatch’s energy business based in Bangkok. “Chana and Wang Noi have now set the latest standard for new ways to manage power projects that could be applied to other locations in Asia. It’s a delicate mix, but being able to achieve a realistic schedule and integrate the most appropriate team at the right time helps deliver a cost effective and reliable solution.” 

Black & Veatch’s scope of work included design engineering and procurement for balance-of-plant equipment and other services including technical field assistance, supply of heat recovery steam generators and commissioning of other Black & Veatch furnished plant equipment. 

According to Vishal Baliga, Project Manager, Black & Veatch, “We pooled resources in key areas to increase efficiencies and where each project differed, dedicated resources were put in place to ensure proper coordination and attention to detail. Additional resources were also mobilized at both sites to ensure that both the projects remained on track while still maintaining safety standards.” 

“From day one, Black & Veatch has lived up to expectations and continued to deliver a flexible and dedicated team of resources to manage the schedule and quality that we required. All project team members and partners were focused and aligned on the same outcomes and it’s this seamless integration across all parties that made the project experience memorable,” said Takahiro Kawachi Project Director of Chana 2 and Wang Noi 4, Marubeni Corporation. 

Completed in April and June 2014, Wang Noi 4 and Chana 2 have started producing 769 megawatts and 782 megawatts, respectively.  

Editor’s Notes:

  • The new gas-fired combined cycle power blocks at Chana 2 and Wang Noi 4 will produce 782 megawatts and 769 megawatts, respectively at full operation. The previous capacity at Chana 1 and Wang Noi 1, 2 and 3 is 700 megawatts and 2,027 megawatts, respectively.
  • Black & Veatch has been delivering innovative power solutions in Thailand for nearly 50 years. The company has helped design and commission more than 5,000 megawatts (MW) of the country’s power generation fleet.
  • The Glow Phase 5 project is an award winning project delivered by Black & Veatch and Marubeni Corporation in Thailand. Other noteworthy projects include the Lopburi 55 Megawatt Solar Farm where Black & Veatch provided owner’s engineer leadership.
  • The company’s 200-strong office in Bangkok plays an important role in helping Thailand and Asia meet its rising power infrastructure demands. More than 1,500 professionals work for Black & Veatch in Asia. Throughout Asia, Black & Veatch is helping countries address critical energy challenges through the planning and delivery of a number of large-scale complex power facilities. Outside of Thailand, the company is also helping to develop and implement major coal- and- gas-fired plants in China, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines and South Korea.
  • For more information on career opportunities and to see how you can be part of a global company helping to meet infrastructure needs worldwide, visit www.bv.com.
  • High res image of Chana 2 is available here.  


About Black & Veatch
Black & Veatch is an employee-owned, global leader in building Critical Human Infrastructure™ in Energy, Water, Telecommunications and Government Services. Since 1915, we have helped our clients improve the lives of people in over 100 countries through consulting, engineering, construction, operations and program management. Our revenues in 2013 were US$3.6 billion. Follow us on www.bv.com and in social media.

About Marubeni Corporation
Marubeni Corporation was founded in 1858 and incorporated in 1949 with its principal office located in Tokyo, Japan. It manages business across a wide range of industrial sectors throughout the world, and is a publicly traded company quoted on two stock exchanges in Japan: Tokyo and Nagoya. Marubeni first established its power industry presence through the EPC business, with more than 98.9 GW supplied/constructed all over the world in various fuel and technology types. Marubeni expanded its business into the IPP arena in the early 1990’s, and now owns 10,227 MW of net generating capacity (34,313 MW gross capacity). For more information, please visit www.marubeni.com.



WebWireID190576





This news content was configured by WebWire editorial staff. Linking is permitted.

News Release Distribution and Press Release Distribution Services Provided by WebWire.