The share of the Šoštanj Thermal Power Plant (TEŠ) in the entire electricity production in Slovenia was as high as at 36% in 2017, and in total production by the HSE Group at 54%. The time availability of Unit 6 was at 83.8%, which is comparable to European thermal power plants, while the availability of the planned operation was as high as at 96%, which is even above the EU average.
The operation of TEŠ, a part of the HSE Group, was marked by several factors and events in 2017. These include primarily the poor hydrological conditions – in Slovenia and in the region in general – which, in the winter and summer months, demanded a higher availability of the functioning units of TEŠ. In 2017, Unit 4 and 6 operated approximately for 4,500 and 7,400 hours, respectively, and produced a total of 3,967 GWh of electricity, the majority of which (3,132 GWh) by Unit 6. This means that the electricity production of Unit 6 reached almost 100% of the annual plan, while the production of heat energy, with 357 GWh, exceeded the annual plan by 8%. The share of TEŠ in the entire electricity production in Slovenia was as high as at 36% in 2017, and in total production by the HSE Group at 54%. Its time availability was 83.8%, and the availability of the planned operation as high as at 96%. These statistics put Unit 6 in the company of comparable European thermal power plants, while certain indicators even exceed the average.
Unit 6 had only two malfunctions last year, and it was shut down 13 times due to an outage or maintenance. “As part of the last warranty-covered repair work, which was performed by the company General Electric over the Christmas and New Year holidays, a part of the re-heat entry collector was replaced. Unit 6 of TEŠ was reconnected to the national electricity grid on Monday, 8 January 2018,”explained Branko Debeljak, CTO of TEŠ.
Not only that TEŠ covers as much as a third of the country’s electricity needs, but with Unit 6 it made a step forward in achieving international environmental standards. The quantity of practically all emissions has dropped since Unit 6 started operating in comparison to the currently operating Unit 4. Emissions of CO2 dropped by approximately 30%, while emissions of NOx, SOx and particulate matter dropped by approximately 65%. “The reliable and competitive operation of TPP (in accordance with environmental standards remains the first priority of the company’s management, along with constant care for occupational safety, social security and satisfaction of our employees,« said Arman Koritnik, CEO of TEŠ, also pointing to the company’s corporate social responsibility: “I am aware that our operation is connected with the environment, and with the lives of individuals, families and businesses in the Šalek Valley. In 2018 we will also financially support, in accordance with our financial capabilities, certain local projects and individuals who need such support.”
TERMS RELATED TO (NON)OPERATION OF THE THERMAL POWER PLANT
MAINTENANCE is work planned in advance that requires an agreed shut-down of a device/coordinated dates;
OUTAGE is an automatic shut-down caused by disturbances in the technological process of protection of generators; the generator is re-launched after technological protection is eliminated;
DEFECT – MALFUNCTION (unplanned event) is a state in which a device is not able to perform the function for which it was designed and when the functioning of the device is discontinued;
OVERHAUL is a planned work performed with the aim of preserving the lifespan of the device;
FAVOURABLE ENERGY SITUATION is a shut-down because of an unfavourable situation on the electricity market;