Willie Meixner: Siemens sees great potential in Tatarstan
CEO Power and Gas Division at Siemens AG about the power plant in Nizhnekamsk and new projects in Tatarstan
Last December, it became known that a new energy source would appear in Nizhnekamsk — TAIF and Siemens would build a power plant for Nizhnekamskneftekhim. The signing of the agreement was held with the participation of President of Tatarstan Rustam Minnikhanov. Now the design work is underway at the facility, and the first tests are planned for 2019. Realnoe Vremya found out from CEO Power and Gas Division at Siemens AG Willy Meixner about the details of the project. Read more in the interview.
New energy source by 2021
In December, Siemens signed the cooperation agreement with TAIF PSC for the construction of a new power plant on the territory of Nizhnekamskneftekhim. At what stage is the construction process being today?
The project is being successfully implemented in accordance with the terms agreed in the contract. In the early stages, design work is carried out and the first activities are carried out at the construction site.
Siemens has experience in building power plants around the world, but for us it is the first turnkey power plant construction project in Russia (EPC project). We expect that there will be many interesting and challenging tasks in the process of the project, but we will do our best to meet the customer's expectations.
For us, it is the first turnkey power plant construction project in Russia
When will the first tests of the turbine take place?
The operational tests will be conducted in 2019.
At the time of signing the agreement, TAIF had already had experience of launching a powerful turbine at Kazan CHPP-3. Then the power unit demonstrated a higher capacity than it was planned. Will the Siemens turbine be able to show an excellent result?
We will do our best to ensure maximum performance. Proven technologies will be used for the construction of the combined cycle power plant. The centre of the future power plant will be two gas turbines SGT5-2000E and one steam turbine SST-600.
A well-established model of gas turbine will be installed at the site, as reliability is a key factor in the implementation of such project. As for fuel, the engine also has flexibility and will actually work on three different types of fuel.
A well-established model of gas turbine will be installed at the site, as reliability is a key factor in the implementation of such project
When can we expect the final launch of the power plant?
The power plant is to be put into operation in May 2021.
About the prospects of working with Tatarstan
What joint projects does Siemens plan with the participation of TAIF Group?
The construction of the combined cycle power plant on the territory of Nizhnekamskneftekhim with a capacity of 495 MW is our first joint project in the field of energy generation. I am sure that the project will become one of the most significant in the history of cooperation between TAIF and Siemens. We closely follow the development of petrochemical and fuel and energy complexes of Tatarstan and hope that we will take part in other projects implemented in the region.
Siemens sees great potential in Tatarstan in different areas, for example, in the field of energy production, digitalization, electrification and renewable energy sources
We know that TAIF has long-term plans in the field of energy production, for example, the construction of a power plant on the basis of Kazanorgsintez PJSC with a capacity of 250 MW, modernization of Nizhnekamsk CHPP-1 with the use of gas turbines. We will be glad to have an opportunity to cooperate in the framework of these and other projects of TAIF.
What prospects of cooperation does Siemens see in Tatarstan? Can we expect joint projects in the field of distributed generation?
Siemens sees great potential in Tatarstan in different areas, for example, in the field of energy production, digitalization, electrification and renewable energy sources.
The company has a large portfolio for distributed generation, and we will be glad to offer our partners in Tatarstan advanced high-tech solutions for energy generation.