OREANDA-NEWS. June 02, 2015. The Auvere power plant project, based on Alstom’s circulating fluidized bed (CFB) boiler technology and using local oil shale and biomass for fuel, has been connected to the power transmission network for the first time in early May.

This large project consists of the delivery of a 300 MW steam power plant to Estonian state-owned utility company Eesti Energia, via its subsidiary Narva Elektrijaamad. Under an Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) contract, Alstom has designed, manufactured, supplied, installed, and is testing and commissioning the unit, including the supply of final fuel handling, CFB boiler, steam turbine, generator, flue gas treatment, automation & control and electrical systems.

Raine Pajo, Production Director at Eesti Energia, says: “Eesti Energia is pleased with the progress of this important project. The connection with grid is a proof that all systems of the plant are functioning. Testing and commissioning of the plant now continues until November this year.”

The contract was signed in January 2011, the corner stone laid in May 2012 and the power plant will be put into production by the end of 2015. The new plant will supply the majority of the country's domestic electricity consumption in full compliance with the latest and upcoming stringent EU emission directives, thanks to the state-of-the-art technology supplied by Alstom. Additionally the higher efficiency of the new power plant will contribute to reducing CO2 emissions.

The power plant is located near Narva in north-east Estonia close to the Russian border, adjacent to the existing two Narva power plants which have an installed electric capacity of 2,380 MW. Alstom also has a long term service agreement (LTSA) covering the existing plants and is responsible for the maintenance of turbines, boilers and Balance of Plant in Narva since 2000. Alstom also delivered to the Narva power plants all  44 electrostatic precipitators (ESP) and four Flue Gas Desulphurization (FGD) systems to clean the flue gases.