Six EPEC Plants in Cordoba Undergoing Planned, Unplanned Maintenance

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Researched by Industrial Info Resources (Sugar Land, Texas)--Several generating units at plants, owned and operated by Empresa Provincial de Energia Electrica de Cordoba (EPEC) in the province of Cordoba, are undergoing planned and unplanned emergency maintenance. The 216-megawatt (MW) Gobernador Arturo Zanichelli (Central Pilar), 67-MW Dean Funes power plant, 34-MW Las Ferias, 50-MW Ingeniero Francisco Bazan plant, 42-MW General Levalle and 48-MW Las Playas power plant are affected.

Gobernador Arturo Zanichelli is derated 70% because of the unavailability of Unit 1(33MW), which has been shut down since early 2006 because of rotor problems. The cracked rotor has been repaired by Italy's Ansaldo, and the turbine will be assembled in May 2008. The unit is expected to be back online by July 2008. At the same time, problems concerning the cost of repairs between Generadora Cordoba, the previous owner, and EPEC significantly delayed the process in 2007.

The Dean Funes power plant's capacity is reduced to14 MW out because of the unavailability of Unit 2 (16MW). The unit is scheduled to be back online within the next 20 days. The late return of this unit is because of the delay of the spare parts, according to plant authorities.

The Las Ferias Power Plant in the city of Rio Cuarto south of the Cordoba province is equipped with two combustion turbines of 17 MW each, but Unit 1 is down because of rotor problems. A return date has not been set for the unit.

Ingeniero Francisco Bazan (Central Sudoeste) with four generating units of 35 MW each is derated 25%. Only Unit 3 is operational, and units 1, 2 and 4 are down for maintenance. EPEC has plans to add one 115-MW combustion turbine to be operational by the end of 2009.

The General Levalle power plant, in southern Cordoba province, has three generating units, two 23-MW units, and one 16-MW unit. Currently, only the two 23-MW units are on service.

The Las Playas plant in Villa Maria has three Fiat TG16 generating units. Unit 1 has been offline since December 2007 and will be brought back online within the next 30 days, after the rotor and alternator are changed.

EPEC is looking for ways to harmonize power supply expansions through several projects in Cordoba Province that aim to tackle the consequences and economic costs of power outages during times of high electricity demand. For details, view related January 29, 2008, article - Argentina Launches Investment Program to Add New Generation Capacity.

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