Wartsila-led Consortium Wins Major Contract to Build World's Largest Tri-Fuel Power Plant in Jordan

PR50992

HELSINKI, Oct. 10 / PRN=KYODO JBN/ --

     A power plant of this size using Wartsila combustion engines is a landmark

power generation installation. It represents recognition of the superior

efficiency possible with Wartsila's technology. Furthermore, the tri-fuel

capability provides unmatched flexibility, and ensures that Jordan will have a

safe and reliable energy supply. When the gas infrastructure is in place, the

plant will switch to natural gas and its environmental footprint will be

minimised.

    A consortium headed by Wartsila has been awarded a turnkey contract to

build a 573 MW tri-fuel power plant in Jordan. When completed, it will be the

world's largest tri-fuel power plant capable of utilizing natural gas, heavy

fuel oil and light fuel oil as its main fuels. Initially, the plant will

operate on heavy fuel oil, but the fuel flexibility of Wartsila's engine

technology will enable a seamless transfer to environmentally sustainable

natural gas operation once the infrastructure for a natural gas supply is in

place. Furthermore, when in operation, the Wartsila technology ensures that the

plant's use of water will be close to zero, which adds to its environmental

sustainability. The overall contract is valued at USD 552 million, of which

Wartsila's share is USD 334 million.

    Wartsila's consortium partner is South Korean based Lotte Engineering &

Construction, a major player in the Asian construction industry. The order has

been placed by Amman Asia Electric Power, a special purpose independent power

producer, in which Wartsila has a minority interest. The other owners of the

company are Korea Electric Power Corporation of South Korea (KEPCO) and

Mitsubishi Corporation of Japan. The project company will supply electricity to

the National Electric Power Company of Jordan (NEPCO) under a recently signed

25 year power purchase agreement. The electricity will be fed to the Jordanian

national grid.

    Wartsila's technology powering the plant

    The plant will be powered by a total of 38 Wartsila 50DF multi-fuel

engines, which in reference conditions produce 632 MW of electricity. Even in

the most extreme ambient conditions in Jordan, the power plant will produce a

firm constant capacity of 573 MW. The plant will be fitted with a NOx (nitrogen

oxide) control system for emissions abatement. This is in line with the

Environmental, Health and Safety Guidelines set forth by the International

Finance Corporation, the private sector lending arm of the World Bank Group,

which have been adopted by Jordan's Ministry of the Environment.

    "KEPCO has worked together with Wartsila and Mitsubishi in an outstanding

cooperation to ensure this project is a success. As the leading global supplier

of flexible and efficient power plant solutions, Wartsila suggested this

efficient multi-fuel combustion engine technology solution to meet the

requirements of the proposal, which was the critical success factor in the bid.

We also trust Wartsila to professionally and competently lead the EPC

consortium for the successful completion of this major and important project,"

states Mr Young Jin Bae, Chief Executive Officer of Amman Asia Electric Power

Company.

    "This is a landmark order for many reasons," says Vesa Riihimaki, Group

Vice President, Wartsila Power Plants. "The fact that a power plant of this

size will utilize Wartsila combustion engines demonstrates how the superior

efficiency and flexibility of the technology are being recognized on the

markets. Furthermore, the tri-fuel capability provides unmatched flexibility,

and ensures that Jordan will have a safe, affordable and reliable energy

supply. When the gas infrastructure is in place, the plant will switch to

natural gas and its environmental footprint will be minimised. Finally, our

ability to deliver such a large power plant on a really fast-track schedule was

yet another reason for choosing Wartsila."

    The power plant is to be located in Al Manakher, some 30 km outside Amman.

The complete power facility will be delivered in three phases. The first phase

is scheduled to be in commercial operation already in February 2014, with the

entire plant being operable by September of that same year.

    This will be the second power plant that Wartsila has delivered to Jordan.

A 50 MW plant is already in use and is being operated and maintained by

Wartsila personnel under an Operations & Maintenance agreement. Globally,

Wartsila has delivered 4,600 power plants in 169 countries with a total

generating capacity of close to 49 GW.

    Smart Power Generation

    Smart Power Generation enables transition to a modern, sustainable power

system. Its main cornerstones are very high energy efficiency, outstanding

operational flexibility, and multi-fuel operation. For today's emerging

low-carbon power systems, it balances large input fluctuations of wind and

solar power. It also provides high efficiency base load, peaking, and

load-following power, as well as super-fast grid reserves on a national power

system level.

    Wartsila is the global leader in Smart Power Generation. Wartsila's

technology and power plant solutions have been developed to provide a unique

combination of valuable features that enable new horizons for future

sustainable, reliable and affordable national power systems.

    In September 2012, Amman Asia Electric Power signed a 25 year power

purchase agreement with NEPCO [

http://www.wartsila.com/en/press-releases/wartsila-affiliate-signs-long-term-power-purchase-agreement-with-jordans-nepco

] .

    In January 2012, Wartsila announced [

http://www.wartsila.com/en/press-releases/wartsila-likely-to-be-awarded-600-MW-power-plant-order-in-jordan

] that a bid consortium consisting of Korea Electric Power Corporation,

Mitsubishi Corporation and Wartsila Corporation, had been selected by National

Electric Power Company of Jordan to build IPP3, an independent power producer

project in Jordan.

    Images:

     - Image of the power plant [

http://www.wartsila.com/Imagebank/A/Digital+Media+Library/5386?encoding=UTF-8 ]

    - Wartsila 50DF engine [

http://www.wartsila.com/Imagebank/A/Digital+Media+Library/2775?encoding=UTF-8 ]

     Read more about

    - Smart Power Generation [http://www.smartpowergeneration.com ]

    - Wartsila dual-fuel power plants [

http://www.wartsila.com/en/power-plants/smart-power-generation/dual-fuel-power-plants

]

    - Wartsila dual-fuel engines [

http://www.wartsila.com/en/power-plants/technology/combustion-engines/dual-fuel-engines

]

     Wartsila in brief

    Wartsila is a global leader in complete lifecycle power solutions for the

marine and energy markets. By emphasising technological innovation and total

efficiency, Wartsila maximises the environmental and economic performance of

the vessels and power plants of its customers. In 2011, Wartsila's net sales

totalled EUR 4.2 billion with approximately 18,000 employees. The company has

operations in nearly 170 locations in 70 countries around the world. Wartsila

is listed on the NASDAQ OMX Helsinki, Finland. http://www.wartsila.com

Source: Wartsila Corporation