BAKU, Azerbaijan, Jan. 17
By Tamilla Mammadova – Trend
A 230-megawatt Gardabani-2 thermal power plant (TPP) has begun operating in Gardabani, in Georgian south-eastern region of Kvemo Kartli, Trend reports citing Georgian media.
The opening ceremony of TPP was attended by Georgian Prime Minister Georgi Gakharia, Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development Natia Turnava and representatives of the Georgian Oil and Gas Corporation (GOGC).
As reported, the plant will have a function “launching from zero”, which is provided via autonomous/independent diesel generator (Black Start Diesel Generator). This function enables the TPP to be operational even during the so-called System Black-out.
At the opening ceremony of the TPP, the Prime Minister of Georgia noted that Gardabani-2 TPP is very important for the Georgian energy system.
"Gardabani-2 TPP is a very important facility that will ensure Georgia’s energy security," said Turnava.
According to her, the new TPP will reduce electricity imports to Georgia.
Gardabani-2 TPP began to work in test mode from December 12, 2019.
The total cost of the project was $190 million, and it was financed by GOGC.
Gardabani-2 TPP will generate about 1.3 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity per year.
The construction started in February 2018.
Construction work was carried out by Chinese construction engineering company China Tianchen Engineering Corporation (TCC).
According to the project, TPP consists of one combined cycle unit in a 2-2-1 configuration, that is, it has two gas turbine generators, two steam heat recovery units and one General Electric steam turbine-generator. The warranty period of operation of the power plant is at least 25 years.
In 2015, the first combined cycle TPP with an installed capacity of 237 MW with an annual production of 1.6 billion kWh of electricity was commissioned in Gardabani. The $231-million project was funded by GOGC and the state-owned Partnership Fund.The TPP was built by the Turkish company Çalik Enerji, which also participated in the construction of the Gardabani-2 TPP.
GOGC plans to build another combined cycle thermal power plant with an installed capacity of up to 250 MW.
---
Follow the author on Twitter: @Mila61979356
