OREANDA-NEWS. July 19, 2011. Enel OGK-5 successfully launched the new combined cycle gas turbines (CCGT) unit with installed capacity of 410 MW at Nevinnomysskaya GRES. This is the first new power generating facility launched by Enel in Russia as part of the current investment program in the country aimed at increasing the installed capacity as well as improving operational and environmental performances of the existing generation fleet. The new unit entered commercial operations, as it received all permits required to sell power on the wholesale market.

The new 410 MW CCGT unit at Nevinnomysskaya GRES was inaugurated in the presence of Deputy Prime Minister Igor Sechin, Head of International Division of Enel Carlo Tamburi, Head of Engineering and Innovation Division of Enel Livio Vido and Enel OGK-5 CEO Enrico Viale.

Commenting on the launch of the CCGT, Enel’s Head of international Division Carlo Tamburi said: "This is an important event for us, which marks a relevant step in the fulfillment of our commitments in Russia as a strategic investor in the energy sector.  The launch of the CCGT at Nevinnomysskaya GRES will not only increase the installed capacity of our plant, but also the reliability of the North Caucasus power system”.

The Nevinnomysskaya 410 MW CCGT is the only project of this kind and scale implemented in the region. The project acquires particular importance in view of the forthcoming XXII Olympic Winter Games and XI Paralympic Games 2014 in Sochi, since the launch of new generating capacity will contribute to increasing safety and reliability of power supply of the sports and infrastructure facilities.

The construction of a highly efficient 410 MW CCGT at Nevinnomysskaya GRES started in November 2008 and has been performed by a consortium of major Russian and international companies, led by Enel Engineering and Innovation. The new gas combined cycle plant is based on new fourth-generation technologies and equipment, which allow to increase electricity generation while at the same time reducing negative impact on the environment. The new unit is characterized by high reliability and automation. The efficiency of the new CCGT is about 58%, compared to 35-40% of conventional gas-fired power plants.

This project has also received the contribution of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) through a provision of 120 million euros as a long term loan. It is the first time a large scale project in the Russian utility sector is also financed by an international institution.

With the launch of the new CCGT-410 the installed capacity of Nevinnomysskaya GRES will increase by 380 MW, since an old 30 MW unit (N5) will be decommissioned; the reliability of the plant will also increase. Commissioning of the new 410 MW combined cycle plant will also create favorable conditions for further modernization of the existing power plants in the region.

Total investments into the construction of CCGT-410 at Nevinnomysskaya GRES amounted about 16 billion rubles (equivalent to 400 million euros).