Wärtsilä supplied a 116 MW gas power plant for the Canadian gold mining company Barrick Goldstrike Mines Inc.'s mine project in Nevada, USA. The plant, which is Wärtsilä's largest gas power plant to date for decentralized generation, was delivered to the customer as a turnkey contract. It was started up in October 2005.

“Wärtsilä’s engine technology proved able to meet our needs better than did simple cycle gas turbine technology,” said Larry Morasse, construction manager for Barrick. “Minimal time is required for startup, the plant has flexible load following characteristics, and it is well suited to the demanding conditions in Nevada.”

“We are truly delighted that Wärtsilä was chosen to deliver a project of this size especially to the mining industry,” said Frank Donnelly, Vice President, Power Plants for Wärtsilä North America. “Our engine technology is ideally suited to meeting the critical needs of mining companies. We have the experience and expertise to supply power plants able to operate reliably in high altitude conditions.”

In its power plants business Wärtsilä is concentrating on the decentralized power generation market. A top priority is raising gas power plant sales. Between January and September 2004 Wärtsilä won gas power plant orders totalling 442 MW. This new order marks a significant increase to Wärtsilä’s order book for both gas- and oil-fired power plants, which at the end of September 2004 amounted to 1854 MW.