NOVOLUKOML, 18 January (BelTA) – The construction of a 427MW combined cycle gas turbine began at the Lukoml state district power plant on 18 January, BelTA has learned.
“The construction of the modern turbine at the Lukoml state district power plant with assistance of Chinese investors is an important project for Vitebsk Oblast and entire Belarus. It signifies the transition to modern innovative technologies,” said Vitebsk Oblast Governor Alexander Kosinets
Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of China to Belarus Gong Jianwei remarked that Belarus-China political and economic relations are developing rapidly. China is thankful for Belarus’ support in the international arena. In turn, China is in favor of preserving the state sovereignty and economic independence of Belarus. “The project will become an example of economic cooperation,” said the Ambassador.
Belarusian Deputy Energy Minister Yuri Rymashevsky stated that thanks to the construction of the combined cycle gas turbine the Lukoml state district power plant will make the transition to modern technologies for generating electricity. He also added that major investment projects, which are implemented in the Belarusian energy industry, involve Chinese investors. In particular, those are projects involving a Minsk cogeneration plant, wind farms, projects for the Lukoml and Bereza power plants.
The implementation of the Belarusian-Chinese investment project for installing a combined cycle gas turbine at the Lukoml state district power plant will allow saving 242,000 tonnes of oil equivalent per annum or Br513 billion. The new installation will burn natural gas and will boast a performance factor of 57% while the performance factor of conventional units of the power plant stands at 39.4%. Combined cycle gas turbines also use less water per unit of electricity and are more environmentally friendly.
The 400MW combined cycle gas turbine will be built in line with the relevant decree of the Belarusian president and the contract signed by the electrical company Vitebskenergo and the China National Machinery & Equipment Import & Export Corporation (aka China Machinery Engineering Corporation or CMEC for short). The contract envisages the construction of a 427MW combined cycle gas turbine at the Lukoml state power plant. The unit will be commissioned in June 2014.
