The power of block B1 in TENT B will be increased by at least 20 megawatts, and the value of the revitalization works is 90 million euros.
When the whole world, and especially the EU, is facing problems, not only because of prices but also because of the stability of the electricity sector, Serbia is trying to be in an enviable position in relation to all countries in the region, said Milorad Grcic, acting director of EPS after visiting the works on the revitalization of block B1 in the thermal power plant “Nikola Tesla B”.
The revitalization of block B1, with a capacity of 650 megawatts, in TENT B started on May 2, the works are planned to last 210 days and the block will be synchronized to the network on November 28. The value of the works is 90 million euros, and the power of this block will be increased by at least 20 megawatts.
“Today is the 183rd day since the beginning of the revitalization of Block B1 at the Nikola Tesla B Thermal Power Plant in Obrenovac on Usce. A cold hydro test was done. This means that 4,000 tons of steel were cut and taken out and 4,000 tons of new steel were brought in and installed, and over 55,000 welds. The hydraulic test was performed at a pressure of 200 bar for 30 minutes, during which we had two leaks, which means that only two places of 55,000 were not well welded, while before there were always many more leaks, omissions and bad limes,” said Milorad Grcic.
He pointed out that this time the team that is currently on TENT B consists mainly of younger engineers and people who are constantly staying at the power plant. He explained that surveillance and recording of welds are performed in all three shifts equally.
“This is a record and a great feat, people here are happy because of that and do not regret time and effort. I am especially happy because of the younger team of engineers who invest themselves and use this job to build, to work for their country and their electricity,” said Grcic.
This is the first major completion of a segment under this overhaul. In addition to the mentioned 4,000 tons of steel, another 3,000 tons of construction material are being installed, and currently about 70 percent of that is installed. The goal is that the overhaul does not last 210 days, but that it lasts 5-10 days shorter, and everything depends on the building itself, on how fast the materials that are installed are tightened, and the like.
Grcic emphasized that, when we return this block to the network, Serbia will be in an enviable position in the electric power part of the Serbian economy in relation to all countries in the region. Everything that was done in the previous few years, with the instructions of President Aleksandar Vucic, was aimed at preserving the thermal sector and mines, modernization, and going in the direction of environmental protection.
“By 2027, all thermal capacities of Serbia will be fully harmonized with all European Union regulations when it comes to environmental protection. The president’s policy is to preserve the thermal sector, strengthen it, modernize it and adjust it to environmental protection regulations,” Grcic said.
Of course we want as many hydroelectric power plants, wind farms, solar panels, we want green energy. We would most like to have the opportunity to build another “Djerdap”, identical to the one in Kladovo, but unfortunately we do not have two Danube rivers. We maintain, revitalize and enable the installed hydro capacity to be able to work for the next 30-50 years,” pointed out the first man of EPS.
Grcic also says that in this time of energy crisis, it has been shown that the thermal sector is the only segment of any electricity industry that guarantees basic stability, and that without this, Serbia would not have electricity today, B92 reports.
