December 22, Minsk /Anna Kot - BELTA/. Works on the replacement of the turbo-generator at the Vitebsk CHPP have been completed, as reported to BELTA by the "Belenergo" State Production Association. The general contractor for the project is OJSC "Tsentroenergoremont". The supplier of the steam turbine unit, including the steam turbine, generator, auxiliary equipment and systems, is OJSC "Kaluga Turbine Plant". The replacement of the worn-out turbine No. 2 with a capacity of 35 MW with a turbine of 40 MW capacity was carried out in accordance with the State Comprehensive Program for Modernization of Fixed Assets of the Belarusian Energy System, funded by RUP "Vitebskenergo". The installation of the new turbine will increase the electricity generation of the CHPP to 490.2 million kWh per year, and the application of modern technologies and a high efficiency factor will reduce steam consumption for the generation of 1 kWh. By the end of the current year, it is planned to connect a combined cycle gas turbine (CCGT) unit with a capacity of 399.6 MW and an efficiency of at least 57% to the grid for the first time at Minsk CHPP-5. The installation of the main and auxiliary equipment has already been completed at the facility. Unit-by-unit testing of equipment and commissioning works are underway. During the first half of 2012, it is planned to carry out performance tuning works to confirm the guaranteed technical and economic indicators stipulated by the contract, which are to be confirmed before the facility is put into commercial operation. The commissioning of the CCGT unit will save approximately 260 thousand tons of fuel equivalent per year. With the commissioning of the power unit, the total capacity of the station will be 720 MW, and the deficit of the regional energy system will be halved. The construction of the CCGT unit on a turnkey basis is being carried out by China National Corporation for Overseas Economic Cooperation. Financing is provided through a loan from the Development Bank of China. The installation of the 400 MW CCGT at Minsk CHPP-5 is envisaged by the State Program for Innovative Development of Belarus for 2011-2015. In addition, in September of the current year, a mini-CHPP running on local fuels with a capacity of 4 MW was commissioned in the city of Rechitsa, Gomel region. The construction of the facility was carried out by RUP "Gomelenergo" under a turnkey comprehensive construction contract with Polytechnik Luft- und Feuerungstechnik GmbH (Austria).