The first combined heat and power (CHP) plant in Ardabil Province is planned to go on stream in the city of Germi on July 27, the Energy Ministry’s executive advisor at Iran Power Generation, Distribution and Transmission Company (Tavanir) said on Monday.
“Held up for nearly 80 days, the plant’s generators could finally obtain customs clearance and enter the country,” Mirhossein Faqani was quoted as saying by ISNA.
Cogeneration or combined heat and power is the use of a heat engineor power station to generate electricity and useful heat at the same time. Cogeneration is a thermodynamically efficient use of fuel. In separate production of electricity, some energy must be discarded as waste heat, but in cogeneration, some of this thermal energy is put to use.
All thermal power plants emit heat during electricity generation, which can be released into the environment through cooling towers, flue gas or by other means. In contrast, CHP captures some or all of the by-product for heating, either very close to the plant or as hot water for district heating.
Private Investment
Faqani added that the CHP plant, which has a production capacity of 7 megawatts, will start operations with a $3.4-million investment by the private sector. It is being built over 1000 square meters.
“The power plant in Germi will minimize electricity wastage and enhance supply side management,” he said.
The plant was due to be launched in cooperation with the private sector on May 23 under a five-year contract. However, the official noted that the delays were due largely to problems in clearing equipment and machinery from the customs.
The plant can produce between 6 to 7 MW of electricity and heat by the combustion of fuel, the steam output of which will be used for heating a greenhouse in Angut District in Germi.
According to Faqani, once operational the plant will help minimize power outages in Germi and supply electricity to the nearby cities of Meshgin Shahr and Parsabad.
