OREANDA-NEWS. August 13, 2008. Turkmenistan successfully implements the programme on technology modernization and development of the power industry – a key one in national economy. In accordance with the Resolution of President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov the Ministry of Energy and Industry is authorized to conclude the contract for increasing the capacities of the Balkanabat gas-turbine power station by 254.2 MWt with Turkish Calyk Energy.

The decision was conditioned by the plans on social and economic development of the western region with the huge economic and resource potential. The local climatic conditions with strong winds hinders from supplying uninterruptedly power via transmission lines. That conditions the need of increasing the generating capacities in the region as well as enhancing the dependability of the power network.

The project to be implemented by the Calyk Energy Company, which has already constructed five power plants in Turkmenistan, amounts to 137 million euros. The project stipulates for construction of two power-generating units with the gas turbines produced by the General Electric Company with the capacities of 127.1 MWt at the Balkanabat gas-turbine station. Natural gas will be used as the main fuel, though if gas supply is stopped for some reason the station will consume diesel fuel. Diesel fuel will be stored in two tanks with the capacity of 5,000 cubic meters each. Fuel will be delivered from Turkmenbashi oil refineries along an existing branch railway. To ensure reliable and uninterrupted operation of the new power generating units the Turkish specialists will construct an axially gas-reducing station which will be connected to the gas-main pipeline by a separate feeding pipeline. In addition the 220/110 kV cells will be created at outdoor switchgears to connect the power-generating units and 220/110 kV transmission lines.

Indoor switchgear with the same voltage will be constructed and the power transformers will be replaced by 110/35 кV power transformers. The repair workshops of the power station will be reconstructed. The newly-built facilities will be supplied with enough spare parts for the first years of operation.

The power station will be put into operation in March, 2010 and become one of the largest facilities in the power grid of Turkmenistan.