“Sumy Machine-Building Science and Production Association”, PJSC completed a large internal investment project. According to it, the overhaul of gas turbine co-generation plant with a capacity of 16 MW (ESTU-16), which was removed from operation for a time, was fulfilled. Exclusivity of this facility is that it is able to produce not only electric energy, but also generate heat at the same time. In general, about 22 million UAH were spent to restore to EGTU-16 operational conditions.

The gas turbine co-generation plant was put into operation by the Sumy machine-builders in 2001 and functioned during the next decade. However, over time, its profitability turned out to be questionable.

“Tariffs for electricity were low, but natural gas, which is the fuel for the EGTU-16, began to rise in price. The analysis of that time showed that the facility was not economically justified, and it was removed from operation. But times have changed. When in 2016 the estimated payback of this investment project was calculated, it was about 2-3 years. However, in connection with the latest rapid tariff changes, I think that EGTU-16 will become profitable even earlier,” Aleksey Zhukov the chief engineer of Sumy NPO explains.

Nevertheless, the key incentive for the company was to achieve maximum energy efficiency and economical consumption of carriers.

According to Viktor Odintsov, head of the power plant No.120, the thorough tests of the EGTU-16 have been completed recently. The test results even exceeded the design technical parameters. Actually, the plant generates 14.5 MW of electricity per hour with a design capacity of 13.4 MW, and also produces in the same period of 22 Gcal of heat energy instead of the planned 21 Gcal.

“We must also take into account that the tests were conducted at a sufficiently warm temperature. In winter, the figures can be even higher, as the boiler will “react to the weather” and become more productive when the air temperature is essentially below zero. Another feature of the gas-turbine plant is its specific norms for the consumption of natural gas, which is much lower than that of other heat-generating companies, ” Mr. Viktor Odintsov notes.

The power generating plant is to be commissioned in October. Generated electricity, in accordance with the requirements of the current legislation, Sumy NPO plans to sell SE “Energorynok”, but heat energy will heat its production sites.