Piston power |
Wärtsilä’s first power plant with synchronous condenser capabilities
Wärtsilä is supplying reciprocating engine power plants with
synchronous condenser capabilities, plus control systems and auxiliary equipment, for a new 120 MW power plant in Kalgoorlie, Western Australia. The synchronous condenser feature enables the generators to operate independently from the engines and provide reactive power support and inertia when engine operation is not needed. This, together with the balancing capabilities of the fast starting engines, will strengthen the grid during times with high renewables input, improve the grid’s voltage and frequency stability, and improve short-circuit capacity, says Wärtsilä. The contract has been placed by Australian independent power producer Zenith Energy Operations. The new power plant will expand the power supply to one of Australia’s largest gold mines, Kalgoorlie Consolidated Gold Mines (KCGM), owned by Northern Star
Wärtsilä 31DF dual-fuel engine (Wärtsilä)
Resources Ltd. Power production is anticipated to begin in mid-2027 subject to environmental and regulatory approvals.
The power plant will support expansion of Northern Star’s KCGM operations, currently underway, and in addition has the future potential to be connected to the SWIS (South West Interconnected System) grid at Kalgoorlie.
Wärtsilä’s full scope of supply includes ten Wärtsilä 31DF dual-fuel engines with the synchronous condenser capability, engineering, auxiliary modules, control system, operator interface system, and other performance critical auxiliaries. “We have built a strong relationship with Zenith and are excited to support them as they strive to increase the utilisation of renewable energy in their operations. Our 31DF engine is highly efficient and reliable, and therefore ideally suited to this application, delivering the flexibility demanded with minimised emissions,” comments Kari Punnonen, Energy Business Director, Australasia, at Wärtsilä Energy. Zenith Energy is a repeat customer for Wärtsilä, having previously procured three Wärtsilä 34DF dual-fuel engines and two Wärtsilä 34SG pure gas engines. They have also installed an energy storage system employing Wärtsilä’s Quantum modules and its GEMS digital energy platform.
240 MW of Everllence recip power bound for Malaysia
Everllence (formerly MAN ES) is supplying a total of 14 large engines with a combined output of over 240 MW to three new power plant projects on the Malaysian part of the island of Borneo. The plants will supply power to a solar-glass production facility as well as to the Malaysian national grid.
Malaysia is pursuing ambitious decarbonisation targets with climate-neutrality to be achieved by 2050, primarily through the expansion of hydropower and solar energy. In a market traditionally dominated by gas turbines, piston engine based power plants are gaining importance. Thanks to their rapid response times and high efficiency at partial loads, such engines are ideally suited to balancing fluctuating renewable input – whether for grid stabilisation or providing continuous power.
Martin Chmiela, Head of Power, Asia Pacific, at Everllence, said: “Malaysia is a market with enormous momentum in terms of industrial development, energy demand and climate goals. The state of Sabah alone aims to increase its share of renewable energy to 35% by 2035. With our efficient and flexible engine technology, we are making a decisive contribution to the energy transition as a partner to renewables, rendering them a reliable grid power source.” One of the new Malaysian contracts signed by Everllence is that with KAB Energy Holdings to supply seven 18V51/60DF engines with a total
output of 120 MW. These are for a new gas fuelled power plant being built on Labuan Island, a key industrial area off the coast of Borneo. The new power plant is being built to replace retiring assets and to supply the local grid as well as to serve a region that has seen strong growth in manufacturing
Everllence recip based power plant under construction in Sipitang, Sabah, Malaysia. (Everllence)
in recent years. KAB Energy Holdings is responsible for engineering, procurement and construction. Commissioning is planned for the end of 2026.
In addition, Everllence is supplying six 18V51/60DF engines for a power plant in Kimanis, Sabah. With a total output of around 100 MW, the plant will help meet rising power demand from the grid. One key factor favouring Everllence for this project was its fast delivery capability for the main equipment. “The 18V51/60DF engines allow seamless switching between gaseous and liquid fuels
20 | January/February 2026 |
www.modernpowersystems.com
during operation,” said Martin Chmiela. “This makes a significant contribution to energy security for a Sabah grid which is still dependent on natural gas in its energy mix.” The Kimanis order builds on the success of a previous Everllence project, in Sipitang, Sabah, where a 7x20V35/44G power plant is currently under construction to provide decentralised energy for an FLNG extraction platform. For the end user, deploying Everllence engines in both Sipitang and on Labuan Island significantly simplifies maintenance and staff training – a real advantage in day-to-day operations.
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