Pepei Pennnet reported that Oman has commissioned a 1000 MW combined cycle power plant. Designed and built by Alstom at a cost of USD 476 million to supply exclusively a vast new green field aluminum smelter, the high efficiency Sohar Aluminum power plant was delivered on program and within budget.

Situated some 240 kilometers northwest of the capital Muscat, the new 1000 MW combined cycle gas turbine Sohar Aluminum power plant boasts a number of ground breaking credentials. It is the biggest of its kind in this progressive Sultanate and features Alstom’s proven combined cycle technology for aluminum applications. The purpose of the power plant is to provide power to an aluminum smelter so reliability and robustness of the power supply are the main priorities. Thus, a key design requirement was the need for highly reliable electricity generation in order to secure the constant power demand of the smelter over the entire year and throughout its life. Additionally, the plant was designed to accommodate large power load changes from the aluminum smelter and restore power rapidly if required.

Construction of the innovative captive power plant has survived hurricanes and achieved compliance with strictly observed industrial emissions and health and safety laws to secure its rightful place as one of the most challenging projects in the region in recent years.

Built by Alstom on a turnkey engineering, procurement and construction and commissioning basis, the power plant is based on Alstom’s proven and mature KA13E2 combined cycle technology, which has over five million operating hours worldwide. This technology provides not only high plant efficiency but also exceptional operational availability. Several references dedicated to aluminum plants demonstrate the high reliability of the KA13E2.

The SAPP contract in Oman adds to Alstom’s recent successes in combined cycle power development in the region. Prior to Sohar, the company completed work on a similar facility for the Aluminum Bahrain Line Five smelter expansion project.

The Sohar Aluminum CCPP is aimed exclusively at powering a green field aluminum smelter operated by the Sohar Aluminum Company, Logical Link Control. Together, the smelter and power plant brought a welcome boost to employment opportunities in the Al Batinah Region and represent one of the largest investments in the country in recent years.

(Sourced from pepei.pennnet.com)