Severstal launches gas engine power plant in Vorkuta

OJSC Severstal, one of the world's leading steel and mining companies, announces the launch of an 18 MW methane-powered gas piston power plant at the industrial site of the Severnaya mine, a structural unit of OJSC Vorkutaugol.

Vorkutaugol, one of the largest coal mining companies in Russia, began improving energy efficiency in 2010. The Severnaya Mine was selected as the first site for these initiatives. The total cost of the project for a gas piston power plant capable of producing 110.5 MWh of electricity and more than 56.700 Gcal per hour of thermal energy is estimated at 1 billion rubles.

This is a unique project in Russia. The Vorkutaugol power plant is expected to run on methane from a working mine with a low gas concentration. The power plant is capable of using more than five thousand cubic meters of methane. “The energy output will be used to heat the air and delivered to the mine's administrative buildings, supporting various processes. Electrical power will be able to provide surface and underground structures.

Sergey Efanov, CEO of Vorkutaugol, said the power plant is one of the priority investment projects to improve energy efficiency. The power plant will provide about 80% of the energy needs of the Severnaya mine. In addition, this project will provide approximately half of the company's required heating capacity.

Preliminary calculations show that energy savings in Vorkutaugol will be more than 12%, and thermal energy savings will be 8%. “In addition, the power plant will have a positive impact on the environment by significantly reducing methane emissions. Today, the Severnaya mine uses gas as a fuel for its autonomous air heater and for drying coal at the concentrator.