MHI has received an order from Enel SpA for three steam turbines to be delivered on a turnkey basis. Enel has ordered the turbines, each with an output of 680 MW, in connection with the replacement of existing boilers at the Torrevaldaliga Nord power plant in Lazio, in line with a large-scale fuel conversion project the company is undertaking. The replacement systems for power generation unit numbers 2, 3 and 4 are scheduled to go into service progressively starting in May 2008. Enel has opted to shift its fuel dependency from oil to coal. While retaining the current generation equipment as far as is feasible, the company is replacing its oil-fired systems with steam turbines with the aim of attaining higher generating efficiency. The Torrevaldaliga Nord plant, located some 50 km northwest of Rome, has been supplying power to the Italian capital region since 1981. Intensifying price competition arising from the deregulation of the power industry in the European market has prompted a call for improved efficiency from Enel's generating plants.
The order from Enel will mark MHI's first delivery of steam turbines to Italy. The order resulted from Enel's high evaluation of MHI's technological capabilities in the production of steam turbines which offer extremely high levels of efficiency. MHI will not only supply the turbines but also take charge of their installation and test operation at the site. Mitsubishi Corporation will handle the trade particulars. Enel is Italy's largest power utility and has established separate corporate entities for power generation, transmission and distribution. Recently, this group of enterprises has further expanded into the business of planning the development of new power plants, not only within Italy but in other countries as well. With receipt of this latest order, MHI aims to boost its presence in Italy and the European market through an assertive approach to power development projects in the region, both those affiliated with Enel and other independent initiatives.