The first supply of electricity from the gas turbine took place on Thursday, with the launch of the first unit of Borj El Amri power plant, with a capacity of 312 megawatts (MW), which provides no less than 11% of the national electricity production, TAP reports.
Work on the first gas turbine and the remaining components of the first phase of this energy project have taken 11 months to complete since their launch in November 2018.
The installation of the second gas turbine will start in the coming period and the industrial operation of the entire station will start in April 2020, the same source added.
The components of this power plant, built for a total cost of 660 million dinars (MD), through self-financing by the Tunisian Electricity and Gas Company (STEG), with financing from the Islamic Development Bank (IDB) and the Saudi Fund for Development, consist of two gas turbine units with a production capacity of nearly 312 megawatts each, electricity exchangers, high voltage cables and electrical and mechanical equipment.
This station, which covers 10 hectares, operates from two gas turbines, using natural gas (base fuel) and diesel (reserve fuel) and has a production capacity of 624 megawatts. It will help to meet the country’s ever-increasing need for electricity and put an end to the repetitive cuts caused by peak consumption, said CEO of the Tunisian Electricity and Gas Company (STEG) Moncef Harrabi in a statement to TAP at the opening ceremony of the plant.
He added that this plant will attract economic investment, create new jobs and contribute to regional development, noting that 900 jobs were provided during the installation phase. Thus, 100 permanent jobs will be created during the operation and maintenance phase.
The project management is the responsibility of the central equipment management. On April 25, 2018, STEG signed a contract with the Italian power plant manufacturer Ansaldo Energia for the construction of this plant.
TunisianMonitorOnline