OREANDA-NEWS. April 2, 2008. SibCOTES has completed the development of Pre-F/S of the investment project for the construction and operation of a power generating facility in the area of Syktyvkar city. Together with GeoTekhnologii SibCOTES studied 5 sites for the construction, carried out soil investigation, environmental and topographical surveys. As a result of these surveys the site located in the western part of Ust-Vymsky region of the Komi Republic was selected.   

SibCOTES’ specialists studied several options for the construction of the Power Plant: depending on its capacity (660 and 450 MW), fuel utilization and combustion technologies. The technologies of fuel combustion considered included the following: conventional PC firing, firing in CFB boilers and circular furnace boilers. The coal from Vorkutinskoe and Intinskoe minefields were considered as the main coal. Intinsky coal is 2.5 times cheaper than Vorkutinsky, but it is calorific value is lower and its ash and sulphur content is higher.    

Installation of two high-capacity steam-power units of 330 MW each for supercritical steam parameters is recommended for the plant. In addition, in terms of capital investment the construction of the plant with once-through boilers with circular furnace is the most efficient option for the Power Plant. With the recommended equipment installed pollutant emissions will be as low as possible (nitrogen oxides – about 350mg/nm3, desulphurization is up to 90-95%). Thus, the construction and operation of Syktyvkar Power Plant should not significantly impact the environmental situation in the region, but it will increase the reliability of power supply for the industrial enterprises and consumers of the Komi Republic.  

By the estimates of the experts the construction of the plant can cost between 1550 and 1700 Euro per kW (taking into account the construction of external networks and housing settlement). Until closing-down of the company in June 2008, the Client – RAO UES of Russia – has to make the final selection of the option and decision about the construction. 

The construction of the facility is planned within the framework of the Investment Guarantee Mechanism, which will assure the calculated payback for the investors.