Wärtsilä Signs Contract With Petrobras in Amazonas to Convert Manauara Thermoelectric Plant to Gas

Manauara Thermal Power Plant Controlled by Petrobras in Amazonas Will Increase Its Capacity from 85 MW to 92 MW by Early 2022

The Finnish company Wartsila, a global leader in advanced technologies for marine and power generation markets, has won a contract to convert the operation of a Brazilian thermal power plant controlled by Petrobras in Amazonas – UTE Manauara, to 100% natural gas. Bolsonaro Inaugurates Solar Power Plant in Goiás and Ensures That “The Sun Will Not Be Taxed”

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At the same time, the plant will have its electricity generation capacity increased from 85 MW to 92 MW. The conversion, in addition to reducing the operational costs of the plant, will decrease its environmental impact.

The contract with Wartsila for Companhia Energética Manauara is for UTE Manauara, located in Manaus, Amazonas and currently controlled by Petrobras. The contract between the companies was signed in July of this year. The plant will supply energy to the national electrical system.

About the Project Scope Firmed Between Petrobras and Wärtsilä

The project consists of the conversion of the five dual-fuel Wärtsilä 46GD combustion engines currently in operation at the plant, to five Wärtsilä 50SG gas engines, along with the necessary system upgrades. The improvement in the plant’s performance will enhance its competitiveness. In addition to the conversion, the two companies extended the operation and maintenance contract for a period of ten years. The contract, in addition to other agreed obligations, also includes performance guarantees for the plant, among which we can highlight those related to fuel consumption, electrical capacity, lubricating oil consumption, spare parts consumption, and plant availability.

“Our commitment to sustainability is reflected in this Conversion Project, and we are proud to reduce our carbon emissions. The conversion of the engines to gas addresses the company’s concerns about generating energy with the least environmental impact. Furthermore, we will be reducing our costs and improving our economic performance. The conversion will contribute to lowering electricity costs for all Brazilians, as it will eliminate the consumption of heavy fuel oil (OCA1) and the corresponding reimbursement through the National Fuel Consumption Account (CCC),” says Bruno Menezes, Director of the Plant, Companhia Energética Manauara. “For many years, we have entrusted Wartsila with our operations, so it wasn’t difficult to extend this successful partnership for another ten years.”

Conversion of the Thermal Power Plant to 100% Natural Gas Use Will Result in Cost Savings

Adriano Marcolino, Business Development Manager at Wartsila Energy, commented: “This project crowns a cooperative relationship developed with Manauara over the last 15 years. With this gas conversion project, we hope to support the client’s business expansion prospects while also developing our services for gas engines.”

The use of natural gas fuel will reduce emissions by approximately 10%, representing about 35,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) per year. This is equivalent to the pollution of about 7,600 cars.

The conversion is scheduled to be fully completed by early 2022. Wartsila has already successfully completed a series of gas conversion projects involving over 100 Wartsila engines, totaling more than 1.2 GW of output.