Argentine Jose de San Martin Thermo Plant To Begin Commercial Operation in May 2008

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Researched by Industrial Info Resources (Sugar Land, Texas). Construction of the Jose de San Martin thermoelectric plant commenced November 2006 and is due to finish in May 2008, with the operation of the first combustion turbine from the 800-megawatt (MW) combined-cycle facility.

For the complete combined-cycle unit Siemens delivered two high-efficiency gas turbines (SGT5-4000F), one steam turbine (SST-5000), and the instrumentation and control systems. Also, Siemens will handle maintenance for the power plant for a period of ten years. The facility will have a total output of 800 MW, and will generate around 300 MW by May 2008. Plant officials have reported to Industrial Info that full operation in combined-cycle mode is scheduled for April 2009.

The plant, constructed and operated by the Independent Power Producer Termoelectrica Jose de San Martin S.A. (TSM), is located in Timbues, near the city of Rosario, in the province of Santa Fe, Argentina.

The 800 MW thermal power project is part of the Argentine government efforts to tackle the existing dramatic situation that affects the power sector of the country. The plant will supply nearly 5% of Argentina’s total domestic power consumption.

Additionaly, Siemens Power Generation was also awarded the contract for the turnkey construction of the combined-cycle power plant in Campana in the province of Buenos Aires. The Manuel Belgrano plant, currently under construction, and under control of Spanish power group Endesa, will have a capacity of 830 MW with completion date set for March 2008 in open cycle mode. Both plants, valued at $900 million, will make a significant contribution for the country to meet its growing power demand.

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