BANJA LUKA (Bosnia and Herzegovina), December 24 (SeeNews) – The Bosnian unit of UK-based energy firm EFT said on Wednesday that the hydro test of the boiler at the 300 megawatt Stanari thermal power plant (TPP) has passed successfully.
The mechanical strength of all parts of the boiler was tested under pressure of 296 bars to ensure safe and reliable operation of the boiler, EFT Rudnik i Termoelektrana Stanari said in a statement emailed to SeeNews.
This was the first trial of the integrated system under pressure, and one of the most important endurance trials of the key parts of the power generation equipment, it added.
The boiler will be put into trial operation in the second half of 2015.
EFT was awarded a concession to develop the Stanari TPP project in 2008. The construction works on the power station, located near the Stanari lignite mine in the area of the town of Doboj, began in 2012. Commercial operation is scheduled for the second half of 2016. The plant's annual output of electricity is seen at 2.0 million megawatt-hours.
The total investment in the mine and the construction of the thermal power plant is estimated at 560 million euro ($691 million), the statement added.
The next steps in the construction of TPP Stanari will include the installation of turbo generators, coal delivery systems and auxiliary equipment in the boiler room, as well as insulation works on the boiler surfaces, installation of regulation equipment and other finishing works in the auxiliary buildings.
At the launch of commercial operations, the full-time employees in TPP Stanari are expected to reach over 900, up from 570 at present, the company also said.
($=0.8209 euro)