Leading supplier, installer and maintenance provider for combined heat and power (CHP), gas and diesel power generation, Edina, has won the contract to deliver the CHP power plant for BAE Portsmouth Naval Base.
Portsmouth Naval Base is spread over 380 acres, six miles of waterfront and supports approximately 13,000 full-time jobs. The Naval Base is home to almost two-thirds of the Royal Navy’s surface fleet, including the Type 45 destroyers, Type 23 frigates, mine countermeasure vessels, the Fishery Protection Squadron and the Queen Elizabeth Class aircraft carriers.
Following a competitive tender BAE Systems, who manages Portsmouth Naval Base on behalf of the Royal Navy, awarded Edina the contract to supply and install three MWM manufactured TCG 2032 reciprocating gas engines rated at 4.5MWe each. The CHP plant supports the site’s growing energy requirements ahead of the arrival of HMS Prince of Wales at the naval base in 2019.
Edina is the official UK and Ireland distributor for MWM gas engines which offer market leading efficiency, reliability, flexibility and environmental sustainability, providing low lifecycle and high profitability.
Fuelled by natural gas, the 13.5MWe CHP plant will generate electricity and heat, reduce carbon emissions and save the Ministry of Defence (MOD) up to £4million per year in energy costs.
Steam will be recovered from the CHP exhaust to provide space heating and the electricity generated will be used to power the onsite infrastructure, increasing the power capacity available at the Naval Base.
In the event of a mains failure at site, the MWM TCG 2032 engines are capable of Island Mode operation, providing mission critical and maintaining security of power supply.
The CHP plant will be installed within an energy centre, adjacent to and form an extension of the existing Central Boiler House originally built as the ‘Electric Light and Power Station’ in 1906. Within close proximity to the existing steam and electrical infrastructure, the CHP energy centre will benefit from reduced operation and maintenance costs.
A dedicated CHP facility will not only meet the demand of the Queen Elizabeth Class aircraft carriers but also increase energy efficiency across the site.
Chris Courtaux, Head of Engineering and Energy Services at BAE Systems, said: “By developing this new facility we will be able to recycle energy consumption on the Naval Base as well as deliver a significant cost saving. This is an innovative solution to support the largest warships ever built for the Royal Navy.”
“We continue to work closely with the Royal Navy to deliver long-term energy cost savings to the naval base. This underlines our commitment to support the Ministry of Defence drive to create a more modern and energy-efficient naval base for the 21st century.”
Iain Greenlees, Captain Royal Navy, and Head of Infrastructure at Portsmouth Naval Base, said: “As the largest energy consumer across defence, making a radical change to both the cost and carbon footprint of Portsmouth Naval Base is a rare and really exciting opportunity.”
Tony Fenton, Edina Joint Managing Director, said: “We are extremely honoured to be supplying the 13.5MWe CHP plant at BAE Systems Portsmouth Naval Base. Our comprehensive technical knowledge and understanding of BAE Systems’ strategic requirement, coupled with our vast capabilities in delivering total energy solutions, positioned Edina as BAE Systems’ preferred supplier.”
“Our energy solution will not only reduce energy costs for the MOD, but will also reduce carbon emissions, and maintain and expand power security at site.”
“CHP offers a lifeline for businesses and high energy users. In a climate of spiralling energy costs, industry can better protect itself by adoption of CHP application. Not only does CHP reduce energy costs and improve sustainability, but can also lead to better productivity and drive competitiveness.”
The £12million contract for the CHP facility forms an amendment to the Maritime Services Delivery Framework (MSDF) contract, awarded to BAE Systems by the Ministry of Defence in 2014. Under the MSDF contract, BAE Systems manages Portsmouth Naval Base on behalf of the Royal Navy, as well as supporting half of the Royal Navy’s surface fleet on UK and global operations.
The CHP plant is due to be installed in December 2018 and fully operational in early 2019.
Note to editors
BAE Systems is a global defence, aerospace and security company employing around 83,100 people worldwide. Their wide-ranging products and services cover air, land and naval forces, as well as advanced electronics, security, information technology, and support services.
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