MINSK, 9 June (BelTA) – Four power-generating units of the Lukoml state district power plant have been fully upgraded, BelTA learnt from Vladimir Korduba, the chief engineer of the operations and dispatch department of the Belenergo state production association.

According to Vladimir Korduba, now that the upgrade is over, the plant will be able to save up to 1.5 tonnes of fuel equivalent on each unit daily. The capacity of the plant has increased significantly, too.

The upgrade project was launched in 2006 and was carried out in stages. Now the input of fuel to produce 1kWt of electricity makes up less than 310 grams while earlier it was 320 grams.

According to Vladimir Korduba, the economic effect of the upgrade is very high. The project is estimated to pay back in two or three years.

The Lukoml state district power plant is part of the Vitebskenergo Company of the Belenegro state production association. The installed capacity is 2,400MW, which accounts for 30% of the installed capacity of Belarus’ energy industry. The upgrade project was launched in 2002 and was expected to be completed by the end of 2010. The project envisages the replacement of the deteriorated equipment including the air-gas channels of steam turbines.