BWSC submits fault report, Enemalta says it’s not what it ‘expected’

Enemalta will not allow tests to continue at the Delimara power station extension until contractor BWSC submits a full report that "satisfies its requirements".

Enemalta had requested a full analysis report from BWSC of the fault leading to the damage to the turbine, analysis of the broken rotor blade and the root cause of the failure of the strainer.

"BWSC have submitted a report which Enemalta considers to be of the nature of a pre-liminary report rather than the final report expected," the corporation said in a statement this afternoon.

"As a result Enemalta will not allow the tests to continue, until such a report is submitted to the Corporation's satisfaction. Once this report is received it will be critically reviewed together with the specialized external consultants engaged by the Corporation."

Enemalta insisted that only then would the plant be allowed to go through the performance tests. These are the final testing procedures which, if found to be satisfactory, will lead to the taking over of the plant by Enemalta.

The consultants, DNV KEMA, will also be assisting Enemalta in the review of the performance testing.

Enemalta said that the reliability tests previously carried out were successful and sees no need for these to be carried out again. 

As a result of Enemalta's decision not to proceed with performance testing pending the satisfactory submission of a full analysis report from the contractor, BWSC have placed the plant in a state of "short term preservation".

"This means that the fuel system in the engines has been flushed with gasoil, all silos have been emptied, and the plant has been put in a safe shut down state. Furthermore in order to avoid any inadvertent operation of the plant by Enemalta operators since the plant is no longer manned by BWSC supervisory personnel, the control screens and keyboards located in Enemalta's control room have been temporarily disabled," Enemalta explained.

The computers, which control the plant are fully functional and have not been switched off. The corporation explained that this is the same action taken by BWSC when testing was last postponed following the damage to the steam turbine, and is a normal procedure intended to protect the plant prior to its handing over to Enemalta.

Enemalta has reached an agreement with BWSC to replace the dump condenser with a newly improved design at their cost.

"Contrary to what has been alleged in the media the flue gas abatement system is working properly and in fact abatement levels are better than those stipulated in the contract," Enemalta said.

The corporation added that during the latest unloading of waste from the silo to the container, there was a small leakage caused by a damaged bellow on the unloading nozzle and a hatch cover on the container, which was inadvertently not closed by the operator.

"The operators are provided with suitable protective equipment to cater for this kind of eventuality. The damaged bellow will be replaced by BWSC at their cost," it added.

Enemalta insisted it will be taking over the Delimara extension only after the root cause of the failure of the strainer has been identified and addressed to its satisfaction and the satisfactory completion of the performance testing.

"In the meantime Enemalta is applying all the contractual remedies to the situation," it added.