WP to Construct more efficient, greener CCPP in Gunsan

The plant will be dedicated by May 31, 2010 at a cost of 541.6 billion won

Following are excerpts of an interview between NewsWorld and Seog Seong-weon, managing director of the Gunsan Combined Cycle Power Construction Office of Korea Western Power (WP) -- Ed.

Question: Will you tell our readers about the current status of your office's project to construct the Gunsan Combined Cycle Power Plant and its future process?
Answer: A combined cycle power plant (CCPP) consists of a gas turbine, a heat recovery steam generator and a steam turbine. In a CCPP, a natural gas- or diesel-fired turbine generator generates electricity and the waste heat collected by a heat recovery steam generator is used to generate additional electricity via a steam turbine.
The Gunsan Combined Cycle Power Plant has an efficiency rate of approximately 53 percent, 0.5 to 9 percent higher than other CCPPs. It emits almost no pollutants due to the use of natural gas. Its construction period is about 30 months, one-third the 46 months spent for the construction of a bituminous coal-fired thermal power plant. CCPPs are suitable for a peak-load power supply system because they can resume operation after a shut down in a shorter time and have a higher capacity factor due to an efficient power system.

In July 2007, the Gunsan City Government obtained the green light from the Ministry of Knowledge Economy to construct a high-efficiency CCPP at the site of the decommissioned Gunsan Thermal Power Plant in consideration of its move to invigorate the local economy and the Gunjang Industrial Complex.
Construction began in August 2007 after the municipal government granted a permit on urban planning.
Work on shoring up the foundation of the construction site, which required much time and technology, was completed in December 2007. The project, which was 58.46 percent complete as of Dec. 31, 2008, is scheduled for dedication by May 31, 2010 at a cost of 541.6 billion won.

Q: What are the technology specifications of the Gunsan CCPP?
A: The Gunsan CCPP will have two gas turbines and a steam turbine with a combined capacity of 718.4MW, combined cycle efficiency rate of 52.93 percent and nitrogen oxide emissions of less than 30ppm.
The two M501G gas turbines, each with a capacity of 233.2MW, will be supplied by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd. The heat recovery steam generator will be manufactured by S&T Corporation while the Tandem Compound 2-Flow steam turbine with a capacity of 251.8MW will be supplied by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd.

Q: Will you give us an estimation of the economic benefits the Gunsan CCPP will bring about when it is inaugurated?
A: First, the Gunsan CCPP will contribute to the development of the local economy by ensuring a stable supply of peak-load, quality electricity to the Gunjang State Industrial Complex and the Seocheon Industrial Complex.
Second, the project will create jobs equivalent to 1 million man-days to shore up the local economy.
Third, neighborhood residents will be given a pleasant environment and cultural benefits including such amenities as a rest space and athletic facilities built at the power plant.
Fourth, approximately 6 billion won in acquisition tax and about 400 million won in various local taxes per year will be collected to contribute to the finances of the local autonomous body.
Fifth, the dedication of the power plant will raise Jeollabuk-do's portion of power generation from 1 percent to 2 percent, contributing to balanced national development.

Q: Will you tell us about the environmental features of the Gunsan CCPP and future plans?
A: The Gunsan CCPP causes almost no pollutants due to the use of natural gas as its fuel and adopts a low-NOx burner to reduce nitrogen dioxide emissions. It will manage pollutants more stringently than required by law, including wastewater, which will be treated by an advanced purification facility to be reused in a heavy water reactor.

Q: What steps does your office take to protect the environment in connection with the construction of the Gunsan CCPP?
A: We've set up a soundproof wall around the construction site and a low-noise engineering method has been adopted, through the planting of piles, while a water washing facility is in place and water is being sprinkled around the construction site to cut down on flying dust.

Q: What facilities and support programs does your office provide to neighborhood residents of the planned power plant?
A: The support projects for the plant's neighborhood comprise a special support project and a basic support project. We've spent 7.5 billion won for the special support project and 159 million won in 2007 and 296 million won in 2008 for the basic support project.
WP will continuously provide the basic support based on capacity after inaugurating the plant, while offering a pleasant environment and cultural benefits to neighborhood residents by building a rest space and sports facilities at the planned plant. nw

Seog Seong-weon, managing director of WP's Gunsan Combined Cycle Power Construction Office.

(from left) Seog Seong-weon, managing director of WP's Gunsan Combined Cycle Power Construction Office, inspects the construction site together with his staff; a bird-eye view of the planned Gunsan Combined Cycle Power Plant; and a general view of the construction site.