The second steam unit of Asalouyeh combined-cycle power plant in Bushehr Province with a capacity of 160 megawatts has been connected to the national power grid, deputy for projects development at the Thermal Power Plants Holding Company said.
“Asalouyeh power plant is currently operating six gas units and two steam units with a total capacity of 1,300 MW. Upon the completion of another steam unit, its capacity will reach 1,500 MW,” Mohammad Ramezani was also quoted as saying by Tasnim News Agency.
“Converting a single-cycle plant to a combined-cycle one means increasing the power generation capacity without the need for using an additional fossil fuel feedstock. In addition to the economic benefits of saving fuel consumption, it has environmental benefits as the measure reduces pollutants and greenhouse gases,” he added.
The official noted that the construction of each steam unit increases the efficiency of power station while saving 270 million cubic meters of fuel consumption per year.
Asalouyeh power station’s efficiency is now over 50%, up 25% compared to the time when it only ran on natural gas. The facility’s efficiency is expected to increase to 60%.
In addition to the economic benefits of saving fuel consumption, converting a single-cycle plant to a combined-cycle one has environmental benefits as the measure reduces pollutants and greenhouse gases
A combined-cycle power plant uses both gas and steam turbines to produce up to 50% more electricity from the same fuel than a traditional simple cycle plant. The waste heat from the gas turbine is sent to a nearby steam turbine that also generates electricity.
To accelerate the conversion of power station to a combined-cycle facility, the plant’s first desalination unit was launched in March.
The desalination unit has the capacity to process 3,000 cubic meters of saline water per day and meets the facility’s water requirements in one of the most drought-stricken regions of Iran.
Two more desalination units are under construction and upon their completion, the power plant will be supplied with 9,000 cubic meters of water per day.
A 7-km-long 28-inch pipeline transfers 8,000 cubic meters of saline water from Asalouyeh to Bidkhoun per day and after processing, the water is stored in tanks.
Built over 3 hectares, the facility is equipped with six gas units, each of which has the capacity to generate 160 MW of power.
Located 25 km off South Pars Special Economic Zone in Bidkhoun County, the project was undertaken by Farab Company that has built several power plants and implements oil, gas and petrochemical projects, in addition to building water, wastewater treatment and desalination plants.
The plant supplies electricity to South Pars Gas Field refineries in phases 9, 10, 15, 16, 17, 18, 20 and 21. Refining complexes in Pars 2 region, including phases 12, 13, 14, 19, 22, 23 and 24, also rely on the new power station in emergency cases.
Comprising 24 phases, South Pars is the world's largest gas field shared by Iran and Qatar in the Persian Gulf.
