MAN Energy Solutions commissions LNG-fired engine power plant in Gibraltar

MAN Energy Solutions has successfully commissioned three 14V51/60 gas and another three dual-fuel engines in the newly constructed power plant in Gibraltar. Each of the engines can generate an output of approximately 14 megawatts (MW). The power plant on the North Mole in Gibraltar Harbor will form the backbone of the British overseas territory's future power supply. A part of the waste heat from the engines will additionally be used for regasifying liquified natural gas in the connected LNG terminal. The use of combined heat and power increases the overall efficiency of the plant.

MAN Energy Solutions is responsible for delivering and commissioning the gensets and its related auxiliaries. The French company Bouygues Energies & Services SAS is constructing the plant and is responsible for the first year of operation. After this first year of operation the state energy provider, Gibraltar Electricity Authority (Gibelec) will take over the operation of the plant.

“The plant in Gibraltar is an impressive example of the wide variety of ways our engines can be used,” says Dr. Tilman Tütken, European Head of Sales in the Power Plants department at MAN Energy Solutions. “The additional use of waste heat improves the utilization of the fuel.”

Plant supplies Gibraltar with environmentally friendly energy

With an output of 86 MW, the overall capacity of the new power plant significantly exceeds Gibraltar's current peak demand by about 42 MW. Tütken adds: “The Gibraltarian government took a steadily increasing energy demand into account when designing the plant, in order to guarantee that the plant will be future-proof. The modular design of engine power plants means that there are no disadvantageous costs in daily operation. Each engine can be switched on individually. Therefore the energy output can flexibly be adapted to the demand.”

“The new power plant guarantees Gibraltar's energy supply. Our highest priority was the reliability of the technology in use. The power plant must also fulfil strict emission standards as it is located close to the city,” says Michael Caetano, CEO at Gibelec.