Wärtsilä Providing Power For Fast-Track Plant

Wärtsilä will provide the generating equipment for a new gas-fired power plant needed to alleviate the shortage of electricity in Myanmar.

The power plant will operate on eight Wärtsilä 50SG gas-fueled engines, and the electricity generated will be fed into the national grid. The 145 MW plant is being built on a fast-track basis and is scheduled to be operational during the first quarter of 2019. Wärtsilä’ said its capabilities to meet the demanding delivery requirements, and the flexibility of its engines, were cited as key factors in the award of the contract.

The 50 SG engine runs at 500 or 514 rpm for 50 or 60 Hz applications, and produces 18 810 and 19 260 kW of mechanical power respectively. This represents maximum electrical power outputs of 18.32 MW and 18.76 MW respectively, at which the Wärtsilä 50SG has an efficiency of 48.6% at the generator terminals. It has a bore and stroke of 340 X 500 mm.

The Wärtsilä order has been issued by SEPCOIII Electric Power Construction Co. Ltd. (SEPCOIII), the China-based EPC contractor for the project and one of the major international power construction companies. The order was booked in Q2 2018.

This is the first Wärtsilä Energy Solutions contract in Myanmar. It will be in Kyaukse township, Mandalay region. Wärtsilä supported the two project sponsors for the project, National Infrastructure Holding Co. Ltd. (NIHC) and Myanmar Chemical and Machinery Co. Ltd. (MCM), who were together the successful bidders for a tender by the Ministry of Electricity of Energy (MOEE) of Myanmar.

“This is an important energy development that will provide a reliable power supply to the neighbouring communities. Wärtsilä was selected because of the reputation of its engines for efficiency, flexibility and reliability,” said Wang Li, president, SEPCOIII

“Wärtsilä has given excellent support in fully meeting the needs of this project. We have a very short deadline for having everything delivered, installed, commissioned and operational, and we are more than happy that Wärtsilä is able to meet this deadline. Their cooperation has been a critical factor in delivering much need electrical power to this region of the country,” added U Maung Kyay, managing director, NIHC.