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Executive
Summary
The Capex, S.A. electric energy project in
Argentina represents the one of the largest
infrastructure projects accredited by the
United States Initiative of Joint
Implementation (USIJI) in terms of
investment (USD $500 million), megawatts
(539 MW) and CO2 offsets produced (30
million metric tons of CO2).
The Capex, S.A. project is a single-cycle to
combined-cycle natural gas fueled electric
generation facility located in Neuquén,
Argentina. The current
Capex power plant comprises five
Westinghouse 261 B11 gas turbines and one
Westinghouse 701D gas turbine, one 132kV
substation and three high voltage overhead
transmission lines through which the
generated energy is supplied to the national
grid. As a low cost power generator, this
plant is one of the first to be dispatched
within the grid. After the conversion to
combined cycle, Capex is able to capture the
waste heat generated by its existing gas
turbines. Utilizing the waste heat will
enable the plant to generate approximately
185 MW of new energy without the use of
additional fuel. Capex, S.A. has begun a
forestation plan at the site of the project.
This has practical results of reducing the
ambient temperature around the power plant,
which increases the power output. The
company intends to continue to reforest
property around the plant, such that 100
hectares are reforested per year.
The Capex plant (known as Agua del Cajon
Power Plant), in its current configuration,
is a base loaded plant. The plant has
consistently achieved dispatch levels in
excess of 90% since its commercial operation
in 1993. Capex is, and will remain, one of
the lowest cost generators in the Argentine
market. This is due to the leading edge
technology utilized by the Capex facility
and the fact that Capex owns and supplies
its own natural gas.
In December 1997 Capex, S.A. contracted with
Black and Veatch International, via an EPC
contract. As of October 1, 1999 all of the
major equipment had been delivered to site,
erected and had undergone its initial
testing. Initial synchronization of the
steam turbine generator was conducted on
October 11, 1999. Subsequent to this event
the plant underwent isolated systems checks
internal to the plant, interconnection
testing with the grid required by Cammesa,
performance testing and a full reliability
run. Commercial operation of the project
began on January 1, 2000, consistent with
Clean Development Mechanism guidelines. |
