Modernization of the Thermal Power Plant unit Hrazdan-5 to a modern CCGT power plant

The project envisages the installation of a CCGT unit with the nominal capacity of 480 MW, which represents a first-of-its-kind technical solution in Armenia. The unit is scheduled to run base load and will generate 3141 GWh/year. The estimated fuel consumption will amount to 262.9 grams of reference fuel per kWh, compared to an average fuel consumption of 320-340 grams of reference fuel per kWh for the previously planned project setup. Due to implementation of the innovative technology the fuel consumption per unit of energy generated and associated CO₂ emissions will be reduced.

The existing Hrazdan TPP comprises 4 units (200 MW each) based on conventional gas-fired steam power technology. It was originally planned to extend the Hrazdan TPP by another 4 units of the same design, however, in the late 1980s it was decided to start the construction of the 5th unit (Hrazdan-5) with a capacity of 300 MW based on the same conventional technology. Construction works started in 1987, but with breakdown of the Soviet Union came to a halt in 1991.

In 2006 an agreement was signed between the Government of the Republic of Armenia of and Gazprom OJSC, according to which ArmRusgasprom CJSC purchased the assets of Hrazdan-5 with obligations to complete its construction and modernization. With this agreement, the plant design was changed to a CCGT plant in order to allow for higher efficiency and lower CO2 emissions respectively. Following completion of the preparatory stage, work on reconstruction and modernization of Hrazdan-5 unit began in 2008.

Below some key technical parameters of the project are given.

Installed capacity - 480 MW
Average annual capacity - 407,3 MW
Fuel - Natural gas
Operating hours - 7714 hours per year
Annual gross electricity generation - 3141 GWh
Fuel rate - 262,9 gram of RF / kWh