Wind Park Bogdanci began producing electricity
In February 2014 completed the construction of Wind Park "Bogdanci", the first such facility in the Republic of Macedonia, which will use wind as the driving force for the production of electricity. Rising and installation of wind turbines on site Ranavec ended on February 20, with which the most difficult phase of the construction, which lasted 76 days was officially completed. At the end of March a coordinated operation of the three energy companies ELEM, MEPSO and EVN -Macedonia was conducted for connection of the wind park to the electricity grid through substation Valandovo. That grip practically created the necessary prerequisites to begin testing the complete equipment through trial production of electricity that began in early April when they were delivered and the first kilowatt-hour to power system of the Republic of Macedonia was delivered. According to the plan of activities on probation, as a phase prescribed by the manufacturer of the equipment, new energy capacity will be available to the power system of the Republic of Macedonia, i.e. regular production will begin.
The turbines as it is already known are produced by Siemens – Denmark and are among the best in their class. The installed capacity of each is 2.3 MW, tower height is 80 meters and the diameter of the rotor blade is 93 meters. Wind Park Bogdanci is expected to provide at least 100 GWh renewable energy, which annually is enough to supply households of more than 60,000 citizens of the Republic of Macedonia. Simultaneously, they will increase the installed capacity for 36,8 MW. This project will increase the share of renewable sources, which is another indicator for the care of the company for the environment.
JSC ELEM presented the project “Heating of the Municipality of Bitola”
“Heating of the Municipality of Bitola” is one of the priority projects of JSC ELEM. Preparation of the project documentation will be completed this autumn, followed by a public procedure for selection of contractor of the network. All open questions shall be solved in collaboration with the local self-government. The physical realization of the project “Heating of Bitola” shall start in 2015, and the benefits will be felt in 2017 when every household could use heat from REK "Bitola".
The initial planned investments amount to around EUR 60 million, provided with the consent of KfW Bank. Project “Heating” is strategical and directly influences the environmental protection.
This project shall have positive financial and ecological effects, because the citizens will receive cheaper heating energy and the environment shall be protected.
The thermal energy can be used by residents of Pelagonia municipalities Mogila and Novaci, and especially farmers who opt for greenhouse production.
ELEM on “Power Gen Europe” in Cologne
JSC "Macedonian Power Plants" for the fourth time, with its own stand presented on the largest trade fair for energy in Europe "Power Gen Europe 2014" (Power Gen Europe) in Cologne, Germany, in the segment of renewable energy and energy efficiency. JSC ELEM this year presented development energy projects in the Republic of Macedonia to potential business partners who view Macedonia as a potential business destination.
This international event is an excellent opportunity for the international presentation of the company, sharing knowledge and experiences, establishing new business relationships and initiating cooperation with business entities from all around the world. ELEM has already become a recognizable brand because at its stands for the past three years it has established contacts with over 4,000 visitors and delegates, and established communication with several companies from the energy sector. The general impression is that there is great interest from visitors and the companies that are present at the fair. They are already beginning to recognize that we are part of this family of Power Gen which is very important for our company and in general for the energy development in Macedonia. The stand is often visited by potential future partners that could cooperate in construction, delivery of equipment and installation in future projects of JSC ELEM.
Complete rehabilitation of hydro power plants-second phase modernized HPP Vrutok put into production
The commissioning of the modernized hydropower plant Vrutok, the largest hydroelectric facility in the Republic of Macedonia formally marked the end of one of the most complex energy interventions ever performed in the country- implementation of the second phase of the rehabilitation of hydropower plants owned by JSC "Elektrani na Makedonija".
In the past 18 month period, all four aggregates in HPP "Vrutok" were fully revitalized and with this project the installed capacity of the four revitalized aggregates has increased from 37,5 MW to 41,4 MW or 4 MW per aggregate. The benefits of the revitalization of the generators in HPP "Vrutok" are increasing the installed capacity of the hydroelectric power plant from 150 MW to around 166 MW with almost the same water consumption per aggregate, then increasing the efficiency of the aggregates, increasing the reliability of the system, and the extension of their life for 30 years.
In terms of activities related to the Mavrovo hydroelectric power plants dam Leunovo was completed, which allowed increasing the accumulation of Mavrovo Lake and the possibility of accepting additional over 32,000,000 cubic meters of water, or 50 GWh electricity. The reconstruction of Rechki and Shar channel was also completed, with the possible loss of water from these facilities being minimized. Toljan tunnel was repaired at the most critical parts. This intervention significantly increased the safety of the tunnel, while reducing the water loss through the facility.
Within the project, additional equipment was installed, especially in the automation process of electricity production, and additional equipment was installed for auscultation and observing the situation, stability and safety of dams and associated facilities. The injection curtain of the dam of HPP Shpilje was revitalized, and the installation of new monitoring equipment for dams Mavrovo, Globochica, Shpilje, Tikvesh, Kozjak and Sv. Petka was completed.