Genesal Energy has supplied an emergency genset for the combined cycle power plant (CCPP) known as Empalme II, a huge engineering project in the Sonora State of Mexico.

Empalme II is a thermal energy combined cycle power plant with 2 gas turbines and output peak level of 791 MW, an initiative led by the Federal Electricity Commission (CFE in Spanish) of Mexico. Empalme II is a fantastic example of a large-scale engineering project in Sonora State, of which Genesal Energy has had the privilege of participating in. Our role has been to install a black start 2,000 kVA genset, whose purpose is to restore full functionality and start up of the power plant in the event of a mains power cut. The genset has been developed uniquely for this customer and as part of the overall project.

Alongside Chihuahuha and Baja California, Sonora is a reference in Latin America as a whole for the commissioning of projects which promote the use of renewable energies. In installations such as Empalme II, whose investment borders on $400 million, the inclusion of gensets is fundamental. This is for a variety of reasons, for example in CCPPs there are essential loads which must be permanently supplied with power for the correct functioning of the installation.

At Emplame II one of the most important loads is for the turning gears or barring gears, consisting of an electric motor which turns the turbine shaft at low speed to ensure balanced cool down and avoid rotor bending or “hog”. In terms of automation, the client asked for System Control And Data Acquisition (SCADA) to be available in the main control panel.