Wärtsilä wins major contract to supply equipm...

Wärtsilä Corporation, Press Release, 24 November 2009 at 5 pm local
time

Wärtsilä, a leading supplier of flexible power plants for the
decentralised power generation market, has been contracted to supply
a 170 MW gas-fired power plant to be installed in Antelope Station,
located near Abernathy, Texas, USA.

The power plant is to be located close to significant wind farm
generation, and will serve to stabilise the grid when the output from
the wind farms change unexpectedly because of weather changes.

The contract was signed in November with Golden Spread Electric
Cooperative, Inc. (GSEC), a consumer-owned public utility providing
power to 16 member distribution cooperatives that serve 208,000
retail consumers.

"We are thrilled to be selected by Golden Spread and to be bringing
more Wärtsilä flexible power to Texas. The quick start and rapid
response characteristics of this plant will assist in assuring high
grid reliability while providing competitive energy to GSEC members,"
says Frank Donnelly, President of Wärtsilä North America, Inc.

The new power plant will incorporate 18 Wärtsilä 20V34SG generating
sets, along with mechanical, electrical and control auxiliaries,
switchgear and exhaust emission controls. Additionally, Wärtsilä will
provide installation and commissioning support, as well as factory
training. The power plant, which is expected to achieve commercial
operation in early 2011, will generate approximately 170 MW, enough
to meet the peak load requirements of 55,000 homes.

A primary reason for selecting the Wärtsilä technology is its "quick
start" capability. The engines are designed to achieve full operation
in less than 10 minutes, whereas traditional gas-fired generation can
take from one to four hours to start.

"The growing summer electricity demand and the large amount of wind
generation that is located in the region, were the main drivers in
GSEC's choice of quick-start generation technology," says Mark W.
Schwirtz, President and General Manager of the generation
cooperative.

Wind generation output varies according to wind speed. Reductions in
wind generation output must be offset immediately by a corresponding
increase in output from other generators.

"Quick-start generation works well in meeting this type of
electricity supply requirement. The new units are also fuel efficient
and use almost no water," Schwirtz continues. Additionally, by adding
eighteen separate units, Golden Spread reduces its risk from unit
failures.

Wärtsilä's flexible power plants - a superior alternative

With this new order, Wärtsilä has close to 1000 MW of flexible power
plant capacity, either installed or on order, in the USA.

Wärtsilä's flexible power plant features include the ability to reach
full plant output in less than ten minutes, provide 25 percent power
in two minutes, the highest simple cycle efficiency available in the
industry, constant performance over varying ambient conditions, low
lifecycle costs, multi unit power plant solutions, and rapid response
to varying grid conditions.

Wärtsilä's natural gas fueled technology has the capability to
operate efficiently at low loads; a capability that can be used for
providing "spinning reserve" for the system. This increases the value
of the power plant. Additionally, Wärtsilä's flexible power plants
are able to supply all commercially traded ancillary services,
including black start capabilities.

Wärtsilä's flexible power plants also allow customers to meet today's
increasingly stringent air quality requirements. Furthermore, by
employing a closed loop cooling system, Wärtsilä's engines do not
consume process water or require significant wastewater treatment or
disposal. This helps to address the growing concern over water supply
in many areas of the USA.


For further information, please contact:

Frank Donnelly
President
Wärtsilä North America, Inc.
Tel: [phone]
e-mail: [e-mail]


Atte Palomäki
Group Vice President, Communications & Branding
Wärtsilä Corporation
Tel. [phone]
e-mail: [e-mail]


Maria Nystrand
Publicity Manager,
Wärtsilä Power Plants
Tel: [phone]
e-mail: [e-mail]

Wärtsilä in brief
Wärtsilä is a global leader in complete lifecycle power solutions for
the marine and energy markets. By emphasising technological
innovation and total efficiency, Wärtsilä maximises the environmental
and economic performance of the vessels and power plants of its
customers.
In 2008, Wärtsilä's net sales totalled EUR 4.6 billion with 19,000
employees. The company has operations in 160 locations in 70
countries around the world. Wärtsilä is listed on the NASDAQ OMX
Helsinki, Finland.

www.wartsila.com


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