Caribbean Island Readies for Gas
Finnish engineering firm Wartsila has handed over power generation projects to a private utility Consorcio Energetico Punta Cana-Macao (CEPM), it said February 18.
The three 50DF dual-fuel engines will operate primarily on natural gas when it becomes locally available. The plant will also provide steam for thermal customers. CEPM is an established Wartsila customer having earlier ordered various power plants.
The additional capacity is needed to meet the increasing electricity demand from the country’s growing tourist industry. Both hand-overs took place in December 2018.
CEPM ordered a 51-MW power plant on a fast-track, engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) basis late 2017 and the project was completed in less than one year. The baseload power plant will deliver a reliable supply of electricity to hotels, restaurants, local industries and residential customers in the popular tourist resorts of the Punta Cana-Bavaro and Bayahibe areas.
Wartsila has also handed over a 9.16-MW extension to the Grupo Punta Cana power plants delivered in 2005 and 2014. The latest project involved 34DF dual-fuel engine capable of operating on natural gas, heavy fuel oil or diesel. The project also made available all the common auxiliaries required for an extra engine to be added later if required, thereby enabling a reserve for future extra capacity.
Wartsila said fuel flexibility is an important benefit and as an enabler for renewable energy sources within the system. The high efficiency is retained, even in the varying high temperature conditions that can be expected in the Caribbean, it said.