18 January, Novolukoml /Diana Kurilo - BELTA/. The implementation of the Belarusian-Chinese investment project at the Lukomlskaya GRES – a combined cycle gas turbine (CCGT) plant – will allow saving 242 thousand tons of conventional fuel per year, which amounts to Br513 billion in monetary terms, the station informed a BELTA correspondent. Natural gas is used as fuel for the combined cycle gas turbine plant. The advantage of the plant is the high efficiency of the combined cycle – 57%, while the 300 MW blocks of the GRES have an efficiency of 39.4%. Combined cycle gas turbine plants consume less water per unit of electricity generated and are more environmentally friendly. The construction of the 400 MW CCGT plant is carried out based on the decree of the head of state and the contract concluded between RUP "Vitebskenergo" and China National Machinery Import & Export Corporation for the comprehensive construction of a 427 MW combined cycle power unit at the Lukomlskaya GRES. The work will commence today at a solemn ceremony to open the construction site. The unit will be commissioned in June 2014. Since 2003, a phased reconstruction of the main power equipment has been underway at the Lukomlskaya GRES, aimed at extending the service life of the main equipment, improving operational characteristics, and increasing reliability and efficiency. Currently, the reconstruction of power unit No. 3 is in progress, which will involve modernizing the high-pressure steam turbine and reconstructing the boiler. Fuel savings from the completion of the modernization of unit No. 3 will amount to 19 thousand tons of conventional fuel per year. Fuel savings from the completion of the modernization of the entire first stage of the GRES, units No. 1-4, will be 68 thousand tons of conventional fuel per year. -0-

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