GPL receives US$2.1M Wartsila generator

Jan 22, 2012 News

Guyana Power Light (GPL) yesterday received a US$2.1M Wartsila generator

The new 5.5 megawatt generator being offloaded yesterday.

which was offloaded at John Fernandes Wharf, Water Street.
The engine was loaded in Belgium and was delivered on a Caribbean Line vessel called ‘Martha.’
The 5.5 megawatt 60-ton engine is set to replace one of four Wartsila engines which was taken off of GPL’s power grid because of technical failure.
The generator was taken to the Garden of Eden Power station and should be in operation by mid-February. This unit will replace the number three engine that failed last year at Garden of Eden.
According to GPL’s Divisional Director of Operations, Elwyn Marshall the Power Company is trying to phase out the diesel driven engines and utilize heavy duty fuel which is cheaper to operate the engines, and in turn would reduce fuel cost for the company.
Adding that in Berbice there are two Murley engines which are being used, Marshall said one of the units was converted from a diesel engine to a heavy duty fuel (HFO) engine which is more feasible, while the other engine is yet to be converted and put in operation by March monthend.
He explained that the engine is given a full servicing with every 12,000 hours cycle, while all the major parts are inspected and replaced if necessary.
Last year, six 1.5 megawatt Caterpillar units were rented to provide some 10 Megawatts to the system to boost the supply for the Demerara power grid.
The Kingston power plant currently has the capacity to generate 85 megawatts of electricity.
Wartsila, a Finnish company known for building marine engines, has been in Guyana since the 1990s and is contracted to maintain and operate the engines. Demand for electricity has been growing from new housing schemes and additional equipment like air condition units.
GPL is moving ahead with a major US$40M project, funded by the Chinese, to build new transmission lines and several sub-stations across the country.