Wärtsilä 50 MW turnkey power plant for Salvador utility

23 February, 2006, Comisión Hidroeléctrica del Rió Lempa (CEL) has awarded a turnkey contract to Wärtsilä to supply a 50 MW base-load diesel power plant in Colon, El Salvador, Central America. The contract is valued at approximately USD 50 million.

The power plant, located in the District of Colón, will be equipped with three 18-cylinder Wärtsilä 46 engines, operating on heavy fuel oil. The scope of Wärtsilä’s contract covers power plant engineering, supply, construction and commissioning. The plant is scheduled to enter commercial operation in December 2006.

During 2005, owing to the country’s increasing electricity demand and the need to replace inefficient generating plant, CEL issued an international tender for a new power plant to be delivered on a fast track basis within a maximum of 11.5 months. The tender concluded in October 2005 with three bidders submitting proposals.

In January 2006, CEL awarded the 50 MW turnkey contract to Wärtsilä, as the company offered the best overall evaluated proposal for CEL. This decision was supported by the international, independent consultant Fichtner in Germany. “Wärtsilä’s technology was selected for its demonstrated economic, reliable, and environmentally friendly operation on low cost fuels and fast-track delivery”, says Mr. Frank Donnelly, Vice-President of Wärtsilä North America Inc.

The power plant also includes fuel storage tanks and a new 138 kV switchyard and its interconnection line to the national electric grid. Wärtsilä’s modular design was of key interest to CEL since the utility required the design and installation of this first phase to accommodate later, easy phased expansions of the plant up to a generating capacity of 200 MW.

Mr. Nicolas Salume, President and Chairman of the Board of CEL states, “We are much pleased with Wärtsilä’s fast-track proposal. Our evaluation committee supported by the international consultant firm Fichtner concluded that Wärtsilä’s proposal was the best overall evaluated proposal for CEL.”

Notes to the editor:

About CEL:

CEL is the national utility in El Salvador and it’s owned by the Government of El Salvador. CEL used to be the vertically integrated national utility until 1999 and 2000 when the Government of El Salvador sold the distribution company, thermal, and geothermal generators. CEL kept only the hydroelectric generator with a total installed capacity of 387 MW.

About Wärtsilä:

Wärtsilä enhances the business of its customers by providing them with complete lifecycle power solutions. When creating better and environmentally compatible technologies, Wärtsilä focuses on the marine and energy markets with products and solutions as well as services. Through innovative products and services, Wärtsilä sets out to be the most valued business partner of all its customers. This is achieved by the dedication of more than 12,000 professionals manning 130 Wärtsilä offices in over 60 countries around the world.

Contact Information

Maria Nystrand

Public Relations Manager, Power Plants

Wärtsilä Finland Oy

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