From The Star Staff
Genera PR, the private manager of the legacy power facilities of the Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority, declared on Tuesday that it has issued a notification of its intent to award two bids for the procurement of peaking units intended to bolster Puerto Rico’s electrical grid.
Wärtsilä North America Inc. and Siemens Energy Inc. have emerged as the primary bidders throughout the selection process. Peaking power plants, otherwise referred to as peaker plants, typically operate only during peak energy demand periods.
These peaking units are engineered to run on both gas and diesel, providing the necessary flexibility to meet peak demands. Wärtsilä will deliver eight reciprocating combustion engines that will be allocated across four strategic sites on the island, whereas Siemens will oversee the installation of two combustion turbines at the Costa Sur facility in Peñuelas. The granting of these awards awaits final endorsement from the Financial Oversight and Management Board as well as the Public-Private Partnerships Authority prior to the finalization of any contracts.
“This is a crucial step toward updating Puerto Rico’s electrical framework,” remarked Iván Báez, Genera PR’s vice president for corporate affairs. “Incorporating these units will assure improved stability and responsiveness of the grid, allowing us to address both energy demand fluctuations and unexpected system disruptions. Furthermore, substituting the aging units with these newer ones will yield savings in fuel expenses, as they will primarily utilize natural gas, in contrast to the current diesel-operated ones.”
The chosen firms will need to complete the necessary contracts, subsequent to the approval of the pertinent bodies, before moving into the installation stage.
This initiative, which involves a significant capital commitment to energy infrastructure, is expected to enhance the long-term dependability of the system, according to advocates. Genera PR has commenced the permitting process for preparing the land designated for the installation of the units.
This contract award is part of a broader initiative to fulfill Puerto Rico’s energy transformation objectives, which encompass replacing essential components of the current fleet, acquiring backup power units, and implementing a battery storage system to enhance service reliability.
