Ormat issued the following announcement on May 8.
Ormat Technologies Inc. (NYSE:ORA) today announced that NIL 2, the third unit of the Sarulla geothermal power plant, has commenced commercial operation, bringing the project to its full capacity of 330 MW.
Located in North Sumatra, Indonesia, the 330 MW Sarulla power plant is one of the world’s largest geothermal power plants and it includes three units of approximately 110 MW each, utilizing both steam and brine extracted from the geothermal field to increase the power plant’s efficiency.
In addition to being one of the sponsors, Ormat also provided the initial conceptual design of the Geothermal Combined Cycle Unit (GCCU) power plant and supplied its Ormat Energy Converter (OEC). The OECs are producing over 40% of the total power by utilizing low pressure steam and the separated brine, and as such maximizing resource exploitation for maximum power output.
SIL, the first unit of the power plant, commenced commercial operation in March 2017 and NIL 1, the second unit, commenced commercial operation in October 2017. Both units are performing well. NIL 2, the third unit, commenced commercial operation on May 4, 2018, reaching full completion under the Energy Sales Contract on schedule.
“Ormat believes Asia is a region with significant untapped geothermal potential, and we expect to use the success at the Sarulla plant as a stepping stone to additional opportunities,” commented Isaac Angel, CEO of Ormat Technologies. “Our relationship with ORIX Corporation, coupled with our participation in one of the world’s largest geothermal power plants, serve as important differentiators in Asia and globally for Ormat.”
The Sarulla 330 MW power plant, sells its power to the state-owned Indonesian Power Company PT Perusahaan Listrik Negara (PLN) under a 30 year Energy Sales Contract. The Sarulla power plant is operated by Sarulla Operations Ltd. (SOL), an operation company established by a consortium consisting of Medco Energi Internasional Tbk, Inpex Corporation, Itochu Corporation, Kyushu Electric Power Co. Inc., and an Ormat subsidiary that holds a 12.75% equity interest.
Original source can be found here.
