Siemens Bags Algerian Solar/Combined-Cycle Project Maintenance Contract

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Written by Richard Finlayson, Senior International Editor for Industrial Info Resources (Sugar Land, Texas)--Maintenance procedures and programs for renewable and sustainable power technology projects are becoming a growth area, as those technologies vie to be the most energy-efficient, investment-positive and reliable. In this sector, developing economies are showing dramatic growth in the number of installations under construction or far down the project planning pipeline.

In Algeria, Siemens AG (NYSE:SI) (Munich, Germany) has been awarded a contract to provide long term maintenance services for the country's first concentrating solar/combined cycle hybrid power plant. Abengoa S.A. (OTC:ABGOF) (Seville, Spain) awarded the contract for the 150-megawatt (MW) plant that it operates at the Hassi R'Mel natural gas field in northern Algeria.

The contract includes preventative and corrective maintenance for two SGT-800 gas turbines, which Siemens installed in April 2011. The service contract will ensure long-term reliability and predictable maintenance costs for the project.

The sunny Sahara should be a happy project hunting ground for Siemens and other energy sector companies with both broad and highly specific technology and engineering capabilities. Massive solar and renewable projects, such as the Desertec region-spanning solar power scheme, are planned through 2030 in the Middle East/North Africa region.

"As these unique and advanced hybrid plant technologies continue to emerge, maintaining their efficiency with cost-effective service solutions is vital," said Karim Amin, the head of Siemens Energy Service for the Middle East region. "Algeria has made a strong commitment to developing its abundant renewable energy sources, along with its rich natural gas resources, and we look forward to providing reliable service to Abengoa for this very important project."

The integrated solar combined cycle (ISCC) technology combines the environmental benefits of solar energy with the operational advantages of a conventional combined-cycle power plant (CCPP). The heat generated by the solar field decreases the already low emissions of a combined-cycle power plant and increases the overall efficiency.

The Hassi R'Mel hybrid was a pioneering plant when it began operations in May 2011. Power is generated through both the 25-MW parabolic-trough, solar-thermal collectors field, and a 130-MW, two unit CCPP plant. Located at Algeria's largest natural gas field, the plant consists of 224 parabolic trough collectors that cover an area of 180,000 square meters. The gas turbine and steam cycle are fired by natural gas, with the steam turbine receiving additional solar-generated steam during the day.

For related information, see March 28, 2012, article - Solar Power Underpins Algeria's $120 Billion Energy Program.

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