Editor’s note: Wärtsilä and GE are at least two manufacturers of natural-gas-powered engines intended to drive about 50 MW generators. Their great advantage is that they can start in few minutes and quickly cycle up and down to follow minute by minute change in power demand, and the vagaries of wind generated power. Hence, wind power and natural-gas-driven generators make a great combination.
Wärtsilä, a manufacturer of complete lifecycle equipment for the marine and energy markets, has signed a full scope, 10-year operations and maintenance (O&M) agreement with Central Generadora Electrica Huinala, S. De R.L. De C.V. for their Flexicycle power plant located near Monterrey, Mexico. The partnership between Wärtsilä and Central Generadora Electrica Huinala will ensure optimized performance, maximized lifetime and lifecycle costs guarantee for the power plant in a safe, reliable and environmentally sustainable way.
The electricity will be distributed for consumption to Guatemala under Power Purchase Agreements.
The agreement, signed in November 2015, covers the operation and maintenance services that include staff for day to day operations and supplying spare parts and maintenance.
Wärtsilä has already in October 2014 signed a contract to supply the Flexicycle power plant with seven Wärtsilä 50SG gas engines, one of the largest gas engines in the world. The power plant will produce 139 MW of power and is scheduled to start operating in April 2016.
“In addition to Wärtsilä being an experienced and reliable operator, we wanted a partner that can provide us with improved power plant efficiency and financial predictability. This way we can focus on our core business and be sure that our operations run with high efficiency even in very challenging conditions,” comments Juan Buitron, General Manager, Central Generadora Electrica Huinala.
“We are delighted to continue our co-operation with Central Generadora Electrica Huinala with this O&M agreement as this is a very unique project in many ways,” says Tomas Rönn, Vice President for Area Americas, Wärtsilä Services. “Central Generadora Electrica Huinala has an important role in this project that unites three countries and allows electricity based on natural gas to be used for the first time in Guatemala, where oil is the largest source of electricity at the moment,” Rönn continues.
Natural gas originates from the United States and electricity is generated in the Flexicycle power plant in Mexico. The electricity will be distributed for consumption to Guatemala under Power Purchase Agreements.
“We at Wärtsilä are thrilled to have an even bigger part in this project, in which we all work together for more environmentally-friendly operations. Natural gas is the cleanest fossil fuel in the world and with Wärtsilä’s innovative gas technologies the combination of high efficiency and low emissions are obtained,” Rönn adds.
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