Alstom has been awarded a contract valued at approximately EUR 120 million to convert the Nehuenco II power station in Chile into a combined cycle by supplying the steam add-on. The order was placed by Colbun SA, one of the largest power generation companies in Chile, majority owned by Tractebel and the Chilean Matte Group. This new 370mw combined-cycle power plant is being installed in the province of Quillota, alongside the Nehuenco I combined cycle power station, constructed in 1996. The investment in Nehuenco II has enabled Colbun SA to win the bid launched by the state-owned mining company Codelco for the award of a 12-year power purchase agreement for the supply of more than 300mw.
The open-cycle gas turbine part of the plant, which is being supplied by GE (1Xframe 9FA plus gas turbine), will have an output of some 260mw and is scheduled to commence commercial operation in May 2003. Under this separate contract, Alstom will provide the equipment to convert the open cycle into a combined cycle, and thus boost output and efficiency. To do this, Alstom will supply the steam add-on which includes a 1×135 mw steam turbogenerator set, one heat recovery steam generator and the electrical balance of plant. The combined cycle plant is scheduled to enter commercial operation in March 2004. Natural gas will be the main fuel with diesel oil as back-up. CONTACT (Alstom): Gilles Tourvieille/Séverine Gagneraud, +33 1 47 55 2315.
