Wartsila, a global market leader in gas-fired combustion engine power plants, has joined hands with Musandam Power Company to build a 120 MW power plant in Oman.  

The smart power generation plant, to come up in the Musandam region of Oman, will be fully operational in late 2016, said a senior company official at the foundation stone laying ceremony held in the northern governorate of Musandam.

"The power plant will play an essential role in delivering flexible and sustainable energy to the governorate. The project will enable us to meet the power needs of current and upcoming projects in the region, as well as benefitting the local community," stated Isam Al Zadjali, the CEO of Oman Oil Company, the majority owner of Musandam Power Company.

The foundation stone laying ceremony was held under the patronage of Sayyid Khalifa bin Al Murdas Al Busaidy, Governor of Musandam.

"The power plant will comprise 15 Wartsila 34DF engines, running mainly on natural gas. Light fuel oil will be used as back-up fuel," stated Zadjali.

The multiple engine design enables ultra-flexible operations, such as responding to load variations between 10 and 120 MW, he added.

Wartsila said it will deliver the power plant on a turnkey basis. The contract includes a 15-year-long service and maintenance agreement.  

“The project provides further proof of the competitiveness of engine power plants compared to traditional technologies. The power plant will offer operational flexibility, reliability and lifecycle value – not to mention efficiency in harsh conditions,” remarked Upma Koul, the business development manager at Wärtsilä Energy Solutions.

The engines, she said, are attuned to maintain top fuel efficiency in conditions of high humidity and extreme temperatures of up to 50 degrees.

"Wartsila is a market leader in gas-fired combustion engine power plants with an 80 per cent market share. Our installed capacity in the Middle East is approximately 7000 MW, and globally 58 GW," added Koul.-TradeArabia News Service