Finnish technology group major, Wärtsilä Oyj, has announced that it will carry out a fuel conversion project on a Wärtsilä engine-based power plant in Jordan. The project will enable natural gas operation, thereby reducing emissions and lowering operating costs through savings on both fuel and lubricating oil consumption.
The captive power plant provides energy for a cement manufacturing plant in Karak, Jordan, owned and operated by Qatrana Cement Company (QCC).
The upgrade, the value of which has not been disclosed, will enable the engines to operate on sustainable fuels as and when they become available.
This fuel conversion upgrade will reduce our operating costs and emissions, while relying on proven Wärtsilä technology. Our strong and long-standing partnership with Wärtsilä since 2008 provides a solid basis for delivering the project safely and professionally without disrupting cement production. This project forms part of QCC’s broader strategy to enhance energy efficiency and sustainability, said Amer Khatib, CEO of Qatrana Cement Company.
The contract scope includes conversion and upgrade works. Commissioning is expected to take place as per the project schedule.
Converting the engines to run on natural gas will enhance the customer’s asset utilisation while maintaining stable power output from the plant. This conversion serves to future-proof the plant by making the engines ready to operate with sustainable fuels later. This fuel flexibility, together with the overall high efficiency of the Wärtsilä engines, delivers the bonus of combining top performance with cost savings and environmental sustainability, commented Alexandre Eykerman, Energy Business Director, Middle East & Managing Director, Wärtsilä United Arab Emirates.
Wärtsilä has a strong presence in the Jordanian energy market, including the delivery of the 573 MW IPP3 in Amman, the 241 MW IPP4, a tri-fuel power plant operating on 16 Wärtsilä 50DF engines, and long-term maintenance and technical support for these power assets.
