Venezuela's Planta Coro Running at 40% of Total Capacity

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Researched by Industrial Info Resources (Sugar Land, Texas)--Venezuela's Planta Coro in Coro, Falcon State, is generating only 31 megawatts (MW) of its total of 70 MW because of the unavailability of two of four generating units.

Planta Coro is equipped with four turbo-generators that add 70 MW to Venezuela's power grid, two Hitachi 15-MW combustion turbines and two 20-MW GE machines that became operational in 1981.

Unit 1 has been shut down since September 2006 because of problems with the turbine rotor and compressor. Compania Anonima de administracion y Fomento Electrico (Cadafe) was expected to launch a tender offer for repairs in September 2007, but authorities put it off to repair services in other units.

On October 24, Unit 2 was generating 11 MW of its total 15 MW, and Unit 4 was coming back online on the following day to generate its 20 MW after a three-day hot section inspection work. These are the only two units currently operating at the plant.

Unit 3 has been shut down since 2004, and a restart date has not yet been set. Technicians have already performed generator rotor maintenance and hot-section inspections, but they are still waiting for the diesel engine needed to bring the unit back online. Plant authorities said they are planning to carry out the repairs in April 2008 and look to bring the unit back on service by May 2008.

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