Technology group Wärtsilä will supply the generating sets for two Indonesian power plants. The order has been placed by KEPCO E&C, a member of the consortium of KEPCO E&C-Adhi Karya, the consortium to build the plants for the Indonesian state-owned utility PLN. The order has been booked by Wärtsilä in November 2023.

The Sumbawa-2 plant located on Sumbawa island and the Tobelo plant on North Maluku will each operate with three Wärtsilä 31DF dual-fuel engines delivering an output of 30 MW. Initially they will be fuelled by mix of 35% biofuel and 65% diesel, in line with Indonesia’s biodiesel programme. They will switch to operate on natural gas when it becomes locally available. The plants will therefore be reducing carbon emissions while providing reliable electricity, and by doing so contribute to the decarbonisation journey of Indonesia.

“Having won the public tender for these projects, we needed a partner with the capability to deliver high efficiency and reliable power generation. Wärtsilä’s track record in Indonesia is well established, and the fuel flexibility of the Wärtsilä engines was an important consideration in their selection,” said Il Bae Kim, Executive Senior Vice President at KEPCO E&C.

“We are honoured to have been awarded the contract to supply the equipment for these two new power plants. The Wärtsilä 31DF engine has world-class efficiency, which is unmatched in its class, and is the perfect choice for these projects where flexibility and reliability are basic essentials,” commented Kari Punnonen, Energy Business Director Australasia at Wärtsilä.

The Wärtsilä equipment is scheduled to be delivered during 2024 and the two plants are expected to become fully operational in spring 2025.

The Wärtsilä 31 engine platform has established a benchmark in operating efficiency. The diesel version was recognised by Guinness World Records as being the world’s most efficient 4-stroke diesel engine. The dual-fuel version ensures operational energy security through fuel flexibility and seamless switching between fuels. Its fast-starting capability, reaching full output load in just two minutes, makes the Wärtsilä 31DF ideal for grid balancing in systems integrating energy from renewable sources, such as wind and solar.