As part of the deal, GE will upgrade nine steam turbines located at four different thermal-fired power plants throughout Chile in a bid to address nation’s electricity demands.
Of the nine turbines, eight units are manufactured by different original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), while the remaining turbine is from GE.
AES Gener CEO Javier Giorgio said: “Given our need to keep reliable maintenance procedures for our thermal-fired power plants to help address the country’s energy demands, we selected GE because they have the expertise to service steam turbines and generators from different manufacturers and the proven local service facilities and labor resources required to successfully complete our projects.”
The agreement also includes an option to expand the scope of work
GE Power Services in Latin America general manager Ramon Paramio said: “While part of Chile’s additional generation capacity will come from increased renewable energy production, the nation’s utilities also are making significant investments to increase the output and efficiency of their existing thermal power stations to help meet the country’s growing demands for cleaner, more affordable electricity.
“We are excited to support AES’ steam turbine-generator overhaul initiative and demonstrate how our total plant solutions can successfully deliver greater value for our customers throughout the region.”
The upgradation work on the first of the nine turbine-generator projects commenced in September 2016.
GE has commenced overhauled project on a steam turbine and generator at the 264MW Nueva Tocopilla thermal-fired power plant in the Antofagasta Region.
Image: The Nueva Tocopilla thermal-fired power plant in Chile. Photo: courtesy of General Electric.
