Wärtsilä will supply the world’s largest gas engines for a new Turkish power plant with a combined output of 135 MW. When the project is completed, Wärtsilä’s generating capacity in Turkey will exceed 3 GW. Approximately 85 per cent of these plants will be running on natural gas.
Wärtsilä, a leading global supplier of flexible power plants and services to the global power generation market, has received an order to supply engines for a new power plant in Turkey. The scope of supply covers seven Wärtsilä 18V50SG natural gas fuelled engines with a combined output of 135 MW of electricity. The order has been placed by Odas Elektrik Uretim, an independent power producer (IPP) for its new plant at Urfa in south eastern Turkey. The plant is scheduled for completion in the fall 2011, and will supply power to the national grid.
The Wärtsilä 18V50SG spark-ignited gas engine is the largest gas powered combustion engine generating set in the world. It reaches an exceptionally high power plant net efficiency rating of more than 50 per cent in combined cycle mode. The engine was introduced in autumn 2010. The very first installation also took place in Turkey where there is a need to rapidly increase efficient generation capacity.
“Wärtsilä’s solution was the best under the ambient conditions of the region,” comments Mr Burak Altay, General Manager, Odas Elektrik Uretim . “The short delivery time, high electrical efficiency, technical support and the design capability convinced us to place the order with Wärtsilä.”
“Wärtsilä has a strong presence in Turkey, and this latest order reinforces our position in this market,” commented Ufuk Berk, Managing Director, Wärtsilä Turkey . “When this project is completed, our generating capacity in Turkey will exceed 3 GW. Approximately 85 per cent of these plants will be running on natural gas. The success of the Wärtsilä 50SG engine emphasises the strength of our technology in the field of gas and dual-fuel engines. It is an exceptionally efficient and flexible power generator, and it significantly contributes to the environmental sustainability of modern power systems.”
A new industry benchmark
The Wärtsilä 18V50SG engine has been developed in response to the increasing market demand from power producers for larger gas engines enabling constructing of power plants with outputs of up to 500 MW. It has the same proven gas technology as the smaller Wärtsilä 34SG engine, but incorporates improvements that maximize the power potential of the engine. This increases the engine’s output to more than 18 MW per unit.
The efficiency level of the natural gas fuelled Wärtsilä 18V50SG engine is the highest of any gas engine available today, and as such sets a new benchmark for the industry.
Wärtsilä has been present in Turkey since 1994 when the first units were delivered. Today more than 300 Wärtsilä engines are installed. Wärtsilä currently provides sales and service to its customers from two locations in Turkey and employs more than 120 people. A third workshop is scheduled to be opened later this year, after which the total number of Wärtsilä employees in Turkey will increase to around 160.
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Source: Wärtsilä, March 3, 2011;