Two Thermoelectric Plants in Argentina to Start Combined-Cycle Operations by Year's End

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Researched by Industrial Info Resources (Sugar Land, Texas)--The Jose de San Martin thermoelectric plant in Timbues and the Manuel Belgrano thermoelectric plant in Campana, both of which have total capacities of 830 megawatts (MW), are expected to begin dispatching power to Argentina's Interconnected National System in combined-cycle mode by the end of the year, plant authorities said.

Construction to convert the plants to combined-cycle mode was completed in 2008. By May 2008, the plants were generating nearly 500 MW to the national grid system. For related information, see June 5, 2008, news article - Jose de San Martin Thermoelectric Plant Connected to Argentina's Interconnected Electricity System, and March 20, 2008, news article Argentine President Inaugurates 400-Megawatt Turbine at Manuel Belgrano Thermoelectric Plant.

The plants, which have the capability of burning natural gas and diesel oil as secondary fuel, have two 279-MW Siemens (NYSE:SI) (Munich, Germany) high-efficiency gas turbines (SGT5-4000F), and one 137-MW Siemens steam turbine (SST-5000).

Plant officials at the Jose de San Martin said they have scheduled a combustion chamber inspection on both gas turbines for the end of this year. Major maintenance at 80,000 operating hours would be undertaken next year.

When completed, both plants will be able to generate more than 1,600 MW, which will greatly contribute to Argentina's economic growth, which has boosted power demand in the past few years.

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