The independent Avon peaking power open-cycle gas-fired power plant, near Durban, has started commercial operations.
The 685 MW Avon power plant is the second independent power producer project (IPP) in South Africa developed by joint venture (JV) partners France’s Engie, South Africa’s Legend Power Solutions, Japan’s Mitsui & Co and The Peaker Trust.
The first of the JV’s local projects, the 342 MW gas-fired Dedisa peaking power plant, in Port Elizabeth, entered commercial operation last year, and is selling power to Eskom under a 15-year power purchase agreement.
The plants are the first large-scale independent thermal plants to be developed in South Africa outside of Eskom.
A consortium comprising power engineering company Ansaldo Energia and engineering and construction company Fata, was responsible for the engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) and commissioning of the two projects.
Ansaldo managed the civil works, power island supply, construction and commissioning, while Fata managed the EPC and commissioning of the balance of plant and electromechanical installation works.
Fata project manager Elisa Prato says that, in light of the success of these two plants, the company is optimistic about the potential for future IPP projects through the company’s branch presence in South Africa.