OREANDA-NEWS. February 11, 2008. President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdymuhamedov issued the Resolution authorizing to build a gas turbine power plant near Ashkhabad. The project will be launched this March.

The need in the project is obvious: during the ‘rush hours’ the Turkmen capital consumes 400 megawatt of electric power and upon constructing new facilities and increasing the population the city’s needs in electric power increase by 10 percent with every passing year. The gas turbine power plant with the capacity of 254 megawatt is to satisfy the needs.

The project amounted to 120 million euros will be implemented by the winner of the international tender – Lotus Proje Akaryakit Enerji Madencilik Telekominikasyon Insaat Sanayi Taahhut ve Ticaret A.S. (Turkey). According to the project the power station will consume gas. If gas supply is suspended the turbines will consume diesel fuel. The special system including two high-powered pumps, two tanks with the capacity 5,000 cubic metres each, the fuel pump station and a railway line to ensure interrupted delivery. The power stations will be equipped with emergency automation, teleautomatics and telesignalization systems. The project stipulates for constructing a fire department with the specialized fleet, covered storehouse and machine shop. In accordance with the Resolution of the President of Turkmenistan the contractor is to put the facility into operation in February 2010.

A 94-kilometre LEP-220 power transmission lines will be built to ensure reliability, stability of electric power supply and to reduce electric losses. Via the transmission line the new power station will connect to the ring circuit Ashgabat power station-Abadan power sttaion-PS220 (Kurtli) in the Ruhabat Etrap. Thus, the Turkmen capital will be encircled with another power ring providing the additional guarantees of stable electric power supply.

The power station project is a component of the large-scale programme on modernization of the city’s electrical supply system. The programme stipulates for constructing 16 minor substations with the capacity of 110 kilovolt and 12 substations with the capacity of 35 kilovolt. The projects amount to $US 136 million though the ‘profit’ that the city and its people will receive is difficult to overestimate.

The electrical power systems with the capacities of 6, 10, 35, 110 kilovolt ensuring interrupted power supply to consumers will be reconstructed. Equipment amounted to US$ 100 million will be procured and installed at the newly-built and reconstructed facilities. The internal power supply systems in the apartment houses in Ashgabat will be repaired. About US$ 50 million will be invested in the projects.

Ashkhabat at night is a spectacular view. The municipal lighting system was worn out over the years of intensive operation. The project amounted to US$ 50 million stipulates for capital repair and complete renewal of power equipment.

The project stipulates for reconstruction of the existing power stations and construction of the power facilities, complete renewal of the municipal cable system, procurement of up-do-date power equipment. The project will be implemented within the next 2-3 years.

Consistently continuing the social policy pursued by President Gurbanguly Berdymuhamedov and aimed at improving the social and living conditions of the people of Turkmenistan the project is of paramount importance for Ashgabat as well as the country. Ashkhabad’s rhythm is projected on the life in all the regions. The capital city with the new energy, in the literal sense of this word, will start to construct comfortable apartment houses, develop social and living infrastructure, expand transport network. Thus, the large-scale economic and social reforms implemented throughout the country become real.