NEW 1,470 KVA GENSET FOR THE TERMOCANDELARIA POWER PLANT

At the beginning of 2023 Grupel supplied a high-power generator set - a 1,470 kVA diesel generator with MTU engine and NIDEC alternator - for the Termocandelaria power plant, in Colombia. Located in Cartagena de las Indias, it is regarded as the most advanced power plant in this country, ensuring quality energy to the entire Caribbean region.

Termocandelaria Power is the fourth largest electric power generation company in Colombia, as measured by OEFs, and the fourth largest electric power generation company in Colombia, as measured by installed capacity as of December 2021.

In 2021 its net revenues and Adjusted EBITDA were U.S.$574 million and U.S.$138 million respectively.

The company operates the largest portfolio of thermal power plants in Colombia, through its subsidiaries, Termocandelaria S.C.A. E.S.P., or TECAN, and Termobarranquilla S.A. E.S.P., or TEBSA, which have an aggregate total audited installed capacity of 1,283 MW. According to XM, Colombia’s power system has an installed capacity equal to 17,480 MW.

Over the last two years the thermoelectric power facility at Cartagena de Indias, the Termocandelaria plant, has been upgraded with the objective of increasing and boosting the supply of the electric power of the country.

“These upgrades have allowed an 80% increase in its capacity for thermal generation to gas technology, combined cycle from the 314 MWh currently generated to 566 MWh, using the same fuel, without making new emissions atmospheric, with a reduction of more than 40% in the cost of energy production ”; said Miguel Pérez, general manager of Termocandelaria.

Grupel’s contribution

At the beginning of 2023 Grupel supplied a high-power generator set - a 1,470 kVA diesel generator with MTU engine and NIDEC alternator as part of the ongoing improvements to the site’s backup facilities.

Backup power resources now feature two hightech electricity generation units which operate on natural gas and diesel.

Also onsite there a control room, an administration office, a chemical warehouse; a hazardous waste warehouse, a water treatment plant, a liquid fuel treatment and storage plant. Adjacent to this is an electrical substation, a mechanical and instrumentation workshop and the combined cycle project work area.

Grupel’s part in the upgrade involved the supply and installation of a generator set to support the power plant and all the aforementioned spaces.

The focus of the project was a 1470kVA genset, with an MTU engine and a NIDEC alternator, installed in a 40” container.

As it is a special project, this generator was supplied with a wide range of extras which allow its high-performance levels, its efficiency

“The Termocandelaria power plant is located in Cartagena de las Indias, Colombia. Grupel has supplied it with a 1470kVA genset, with an MTU engine and a NIDEC alternator, installed in a 40” container, as part of a major upgrade to the site’s backup power systems.” and a total adaptation to the conditions of the installation site and the application requirements.

Special features of the Grupel genset include:

*A tropicalised radiator, considering the climatic characteristics of the installation site;

*Oil level, water temperature, and fuel level sensors to ensure the safety and efficiency of the entire operation;

*Two large autonomy double walled tanks (1000L each);

*Power Box to access the output busbars and at the same time ensure the protection of non-qualified people;

*Noise level 85 dB(A) at 1 m, ensuring the required degree of soundproofing.

About the plant

The gas-fired Termocandelaria CCGT power plant was developed and built by KMR Power Corporation of Arlington and then acquired by AES Corporation. It features two upgraded Westinghouse W501FC gas turbines

This US$232 million dollars investment project will allow Termocandelaria to meet the increasing regional and national energetic demand in Colombia. It will increase the capacity from 314 MW to 566 MW which includes an enhancement of efficiency of more than 35% and will reduce its production costs by 40%, which represents a significant jump in the economic efficiency of thermal backup, and offers many associated environmental benefits for the country. grupel.eu