Emerson to install Ovation™ expert control system at Pakistan’s new Halmore combined-cycle power plant

Emerson selected by Descon Engineering Company Ltd., believed to be the first Pakistani company to secure EPC contract for a combined-cycle plant

Emerson Process Management announced today that it has been selected to install its Ovation™ expert control system at the Halmore Power Plant, a new 225-MW combined-cycle power generating facility in Bhikki, located in the geographic center of Pakistan. The contract was awarded by Descon Engineering Ltd., which is believed to be the first Pakistani company to execute a combined-cycle plant on a turnkey Engineer Procure Construct (EPC) basis.

The combined-cycle facility will run primarily on natural gas, but will also operate on high-speed diesel (HSD) oil when gas supplies are low or scarce. The plant, scheduled to be in operation by 2010, is vital to bridging the gap between the country’s current power supply and increasing demand.

“This power station, situated in the center of Pakistan, is strategically located to support the country’s need for additional generating capacity,” said Akram Kamal, Head of Power Plant Business Unit, Descon Engineering Ltd. “Because of this plant’s importance, we wanted an automation and control vendor with extensive experience, local and global resources, and a track record of strong customer support. We found this in Emerson.”

Emerson’s Ovation system will monitor and control the heat recovery steam generator, cooling water systems, cooling tower, fuel forwarding system, fire-fighting pump house, water treatment plant, wastewater treatment plant, wastewater pumping station and potable water system. The Ovation system will also interface to the unit’s gas and steam turbines, air compression station and emergency diesel generator. In all, the Ovation system will manage more than 3,000 I/O points. Emerson will also provide onsite training for operators at the time of the installation. 

Strong customer references and a list of thousands of installations within Asia and around the world helped Emerson win this business. Emerson’s bid for the contract was further strengthened by its demonstrated capabilities to meet evolving challenges, backed by both international and local support.

“We are gratified to play a role in a plant that is so vital to meeting Pakistan’s power requirements,” said Bob Yeager, president of the Power & Water Solutions division of Emerson. “Descon Engineering’s confidence in our people and technologies demonstrates that we are succeeding at one of our top priorities: to be the control system supplier of choice to the electric power industry worldwide.”

For more information, visit www.Emerson.com