Challenges
- Project included five sites
- Power solutions needed for multiple regions with acute power shortages
- Plant sites in underdeveloped areas with limited access to vendors and contractors
- Import restrictions and extended lead times for procurement of materials
Background
In 2008, Argentina was facing severe undercapacity in its supply of electricity, driven by slow-paced investment, transmission line restraints, a continuous rise in electricity demand, and territorial expansion. The government-owned electricity company, Energía Argentina S.A. (ENARSA), needed additional power generation sources distributed throughout the country to meet high energy demand during the summer and winter months.
Solution
To provide reliable power when and where it was needed, APR Energy proposed a modular, multi-phased approach that would extend over several years. APR Energy adhered to the lengthy environmental permitting process until final project commissioning approval. We also hired local consultants to develop, design, and install specialty communication, fuel, and energy measurement infrastructure at our facilities.
Outcome
Over numerous phases, APR Energy has provided ENARSA with over 90MW of power distributed at five separate locations to meet seasonal peak demands and provide additional grid support. These diesel-power plants, which we continue to operate and maintain, were delivered on a fast-track basis and feed directly into regional substations. Approximately 85 percent of our onsite employees are from local communities, and all materials required for installation, maintenance and repair of the generating units are locally sourced. In June 2016, APR Energy was awarded an additional 320MW over five years using 14 of our fuel-flexible turbines – the largest single award in company history.