Engineering firm Alstom is to make a return to the fast-growing geothermal energy market through a contract with Mexico’s Comisión Federal de Electricidad (CFE) to supply a new power plant.
Alstom has won a EUR45 million turnkey contract to build the Los Humeros II geothermal power plant, which will supply electricity to the eastern state of Puebla. The plant will have a guaranteed net capacity of 25 MW and is to be completed in October 2011.
Los Humeros II is a landmark project for Alstom, says the company. “Los Humeros II geothermal project represents the return of Alstom to the geothermal market since 2000 when four units of 25 MW were built in Los Azufres, Mexico,” said Guy Chardon, Senior Vice President Alstom Power Thermal Products.
Mexico is the fourth largest geothermal energy producer in the world after the USA, the Philippines and Indonesia. The geothermal energy sector is undergoing rapid growth as countries around the world seek to maximise their renewable energy output.
At Los Humeros II, Alstom will supply the complete engineering, procurement and construction (EPC), including the geothermal steam turbines, air cooled turbogenerator, turbine control and digital control system, a high voltage electric 115 kv substation, a direct contact condenser, hotwell pumps, cooling tower, fire protection system, HVAC, civil works, project management and leadership, mechanical balance of plant engineering and site supervision.
The turbine will be produced at Alstom’s local manufacturing facility in the municipality of Morelia, Michoacan state.
