Wärtsilä signed a contract with Imetame Energia recently to supply a 28 MW natural gas power plant to UTE Prosperidade I in Brazil. The power plant will be equipped with Wärtsilä 34SG engines operating on the âGas to Wireâ?-concept. This means that natural gas is converted to electric power close to the remote gas fields, and transmitted to urban areas via transmission lines. Wärtsiläâs scope of supply is basic equipment supply and engineering. The value of the order is approximately EUR 10M.
It is challenging to monetize gas in Brazil as the pipeline network is not yet fully developed and the sale of gas concessions is state controlled. Imetame Energia did not find a way to capitalize on gas findings and considered closing the field before being approached by Wärtsilä. âA power plant based on Wärtsiläâs technology showed to be the best solution to turn the gas into money. Wärtsilä was crucial in providing technical support to project design and bringing an understanding of the business of power generation to Imetame,â? says Roberto Baptista, Director of Imetame Energia.
According to Business Development Manager, Gabriel Cavados, Wärtsiläâs expertise in implementing natural gas power generation projects was essential to winning the contract. âAs the clientâs core business is in the oil segment, our knowledge of the natural gas market and the Brazilian power sector auction rules were key factors in closing the deal,â? he says.
