The Siemens H-class gas turbine has achieved first firing according to plan at the combined cycle power plant on the Lausward, the traditional power supply site for Düsseldorf.

This marks a further milestone in the construction of this plant, which is scheduled to take up commercial operation in the turn of 2015, said a statement.

With an electrical output of 595 megawatts (MW) and an efficiency level of over 61 per cent, the new Lausward CCPP will set new records on both counts.

In addition, a portion of the steam generated at the plant will be used for the district heating system in the city of Düsseldorf. It will allow up to 300 MWth of district heating capacity to be extracted from one single power plant unit.

This will increase the overall efficiency of the natural gas fuel to around 85 per cent. These record-setting figures will put the Lausward power plant in Düsseldorf at the top among the most efficient and environmentally friendly plants in the world.

Lothar Balling, head of project management business unit in the Siemens Power and Gas Division, said: ”This power plant is a very challenging project. Construction of the plant is progressing right on schedule, thanks to the excellent collaboration with the Düsseldorf municipal utilities and to our experience in the erection of turn-key power plants.

“Without any reportable accidents after 1.8 million working hours over a period of more than 700 days, construction work at this plant is also a showcase project when it comes to occupational health and safety.”

Udo Brockmeier, chairman of the managing board at Stadtwerke Düsseldorf, said: “We are very happy with the progress of the construction site. The cooperation with Siemens is outstanding, and the costs and timing within the time frame.” - TradeArabia News Service