K&M understands that from the beginning of the commercial operation, Phase IV Add-on Combined Cycle feedwater pumps experienced high vibration issues and that these issues are not fully resolved despite remedial measures undertaken by SEPCO3, the EPC Contractor, and SEPCO. Specifically, one of the pumps, pump C, still experiences high vibration.

On March 8, 2024, SEPCO issued a request for K&M to provide a quote for performing additional analysis of the feedwater pump operating issues and to provide recommendations on a path forward.

In response, K&M has outlined a three-task approach:

Task 1: Assess Vibration Characteristics and Analyze Vibration Data for Phase IV BFWP Motors

K&M will analyze the vibration characteristics and vibration data for the Phase IV BFWP motors that SEPCO has seen during the commissioning and operation of the plant. The analysis will consist of a review of all relevant documentation and operating data for the BWFP motor and pump assembly as compared to applicable international standards for rotating equipment operation and OEM standards. The data required for a thorough analysis of the issue can be seen in Section 5.3.

Task 2: Provide Recommendations to Resolve Underlying Issues and Mitigate Vibration-Related Levels and Concerns

Based on the information received and analysis performed for Task 1, K&M will provide recommendations for any remedial action or analysis to be performed that has not previously been implemented by SEPCO. The action may consist of running specific test scenarios for additional data points or may require physical intervention.

Task 3: Offer Guidance on Necessary or Recommended Mechanical Measures to Live with the Current Situation of the vibration issue on Phase IV BFWP Motors.

If it is determined that the vibration issues cannot be resolved, a secondary option would be to optimize how SEPCO operates the plant with Pump A having excessive vibration for the life of the plant. K&M will provide recommendations for plant operation configurations, such as, for example, having Pump A on standby or limiting its operation to certain maximum number of running hours per year to prolong the life of the bearings and rotor of its motor; scheduling pump maintenance at the time of gas turbine outage to minimize pump impact on the overall unit availability, conducting regular inspections of pump A motor bearings and preventive  bearing replacement to minimize the possibility of pump forced outage due to bearing damage, etc.

Deliverable:

Feedwater Pump Vibration Analysis and Operation Recommendation Report

Fogging System Analysis

SEPCO has indicated the power grid in Jordan has had difficulty covering peak loads observed during high-temperature periods. As a result, SEPCO has reviewed potential solutions for its Samra Power Plant to increase power plant generation during these peak periods.

SEPCO intent is to modify all seven gas turbines installed at the Samra Power Plant by installing a fogging system in the gas turbine inlet. This modification aims to increase plant power generation to help the power grid cover the peak loads during high-temperature periods. To evaluate the technical and commercial viability of the fogging system installation, SEPCO engaged K&M Advisors to review the design of generating units’ and auxiliary equipment and systems to evaluate their ability to support the increased power output during fogging system operation.

The purpose of this study is to:

• Verify whether existing auxiliary equipment of each of the phases is capable of supporting facility operation with the fogging systems, and
• Determine the demineralized water demand required for the fogging system.

Fogging System RFP Development

Once the technical viability of implementing the fogging system has been confirmed, SEPCO will need to develop an RFP for suppliers to submit their proposal for design that meets the requirements of applicable standards and good engineering practice. K&M will develop the RFP documentation for suppliers to ensure that the design of the system is adequate and technically sound.

Fogging System Analysis

K&M developed GateCycle models of combined cycle plants to calculate heat and material balances for different ambient temperatures without and with the fogging system. For each combination of the ambient temperature and fogging system status, K&M developed a spreadsheet summarizing the system power output and power output increase, heat rate and heat rate change, fogging system evaporation rate/demineralized water requirements, and other steam and water impacting operation of HRSG, steam turbine, ACC, and other auxiliary equipment that could be impacted by the fogging system. To analyze the demineralized system requirements, K&M calculated the fogging system demineralized water requirements and the total daily demineralized water demand and compared it with the demineralized water system capacity. We evaluated whether there is a deficit of demineralized water with fogging system operation and suggested the required additional demineralized water system capacity.

Fogging System RFP Development

K&M will assist SEPCO in developing the fogging system RFP. The RFP document prepared by K&M will include instructions to bidders, functional technical specification including the scope of supply and services and general technical requirements, and forms to be submitted by bidders. It is expected that the draft supply contract will be prepared to be included in the RFP will be based on the standard SEPCO’s supply contract, so no draft contract preparation is included in K&M’s scope. SEPCO will provide K&M with any available technical and commercial information received to date from the prospective fogging system suppliers.

The National Electric Power Company (NEPCO), a national electric utility responsible for operating Jordan’s transmission network planning system expansion including procurement of new generating facilities selected the Attarat Power Company, a private company incorporated in Jordan, whose shares are owned Malaysian, Chinese, and Estonia entities, to develop, design, finance, construct, test, commission, complete, own, insure, operate and maintain a 470 MW (net) oil shale fired power plant (together with the mine and water extraction facilities). The project consists of two 235 MW (net) unit. The project will sell its capacity and energy to NEPCO under a long-term Power Purchase Agreement (PPA). K&M was selected to serve as an Independent Engineer on the project serving both NEPCO and APCO and getting paid by both parties on a 50/50 basis.

K&M was engaged by the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan to assist the National Electric Power Company (NEPCO) with an assessment of Jordan’s energy needs, potential for IPP development, and the procurement of new power generating capacity. K&M conducted a feasibility study of public and private options for developing new power generating capacity to meet Jordan’s energy needs. This work included an assessment of Jordan’s energy supply and demand, an analysis of its regulatory and legal environment, and an evaluation of various project structures for private investment in power generation. K&M prepared draft tender documents for the procurement of a developer for 300-450 MW of generating capacity at the Samra site under a Build-Own-Operate arrangement. K&M attended pre-bid meetings and provided technical support to MEMR and NEPCO for the technical specifications of the project and the design of the transaction documents. The project eventually was built and a government-owned facility and is now operating as Phase 1 of Samra Electric Power Company (SEPCO) power generation complex.

K&M served as Lead and Financial Transaction Advisor to The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (MEMR). K&M assisted with structuring and tendering a 370 MW gas-fired combined cycle plant on a Build-Own-Operate (BOO) basis. The K&M team provided financial, legal, and technical support in site selection for this project, developed the international competitive bid tender documents, managed the bidding and selection process, and concluded contractor negotiations through financial close. An updated electricity demand study was reviewed and finalized by K&M. In addition, a risk assessment and financial sources assessment were prepared. The resulting RFP was issued to a group of bidders previously pre-qualified by K&M. After receiving and evaluating the proposals, K&M recommended a developer for negotiations. The K&M team then assisted MEMR with the negotiations of the project agreements with the successful bidder. The project reached financial closure in March 2007 for a total of US$300 million.

K&M served as the Lead and Financial Transaction Advisor to the National Electric Power Company (NEPCO) of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan to assist in the development of a 241 MW reciprocating engine tri-fuel power plant. K&M provided commercial, financial, regulatory, and technical support to develop the project’s conceptual design, key project agreements, and commercial structure. K&M developed the international competitive bid tender documents (PPA, government support, fuel, water, land, and grid connection agreement) and managed the entire tender and selection process. K&M also designed the evaluation model and selected a consortium comprised of AES and Mitsui as the winning bidder to develop the project. On behalf of NEPCO, K&M led negotiations with the project developer to a successful financial close in 2012 with OPIC and EBRD for a total of US$360 million.

K&M was engaged by the Samra Electric Power Company (SEPCO) to assist with the evaluation of bids for the construction of the Samra Phase III capacity addition on an EPC basis. The Phase III capacity addition would add 240 MW of gas-fired power generating capacity in simple-cycle configuration to the Samra power station. Kuljian had been hired by SEPCO to prepare the EPC contract and tender documents, manage the procurement process, and evaluate the final bids. K&M’s role was to provide an independent evaluation of the five responsive bids which were submitted. K&M reviewed Kuljian’s evaluation and completed a revised bid evaluation based on modeling the costs of each bid in both simple cycle and combined cycle operational modes. K&M also performed sensitivity analysis on the proposed plant configurations to determine the least-cost bid under a range of operating scenarios. K&M’s report was accepted by SEPCO and K&M’s recommended winner successfully developed twin gas-fired Alstom turbines to add almost 286 MW of capacity to the Samra Power Station.

K&M served as the Lead and Financial Transaction Advisor to The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (MEMR) to assist in the development of a 373 MW gas-fired combined cycle power plant on a Build-Own-Operate (BOO) basis. The K&M team provided all technical, financial, and legal services required to structure, tender, award, negotiate, and support the project through to financial close. K&M structured the project and provided all technical and commercial inputs to prepare key project agreements, including the PPA and Implementation Agreement. K&M managed the entire procurement process, including preparing the technical specifications, assessing the project site, designing the prequalification criteria, preparing the international competitive bid tender documents, managing the bidding and selection process, and awarding the project. K&M negotiated with the winning bidder on behalf of MEMR through to financial close. The project reached financial close in 2009 for US$466 million, marking it as the second successful power generation PPP in Jordan.

K&M served as Owner’s Engineer to SEPCO for the Samra Phase IV Fast-Tack project, a 143 MW gas-fired simple cycle power plant. K&M provided a full range of on-site engineering and consulting services to assist SEPCO throughout the design, procurement, and construction phases of the project through to its commissioning and commercial operation. K&M performed a pre-feasibility study to identify possible equipment suppliers and plant characteristics for the required capacity and developed the bidding documents for selection of the EPC contractor, which included instructions to bidders, technical specifications, drawings, and the draft EPC Contract. K&M also managed the competitive bidding process, evaluated the bids, and completed negotiations with the selected EPC contractor. After the signing of the EPC contract, K&M performed design review and construction supervision activities. Under K&M’s guidance, the project was completed on time and the EPC contractor delivered the project to SEPCO for commercial operation within a record-breaking 8 months after signing the EPC contract. The project was also delivered within budget while meeting plant performance guarantees.

K&M served as the Lead and Financial Transaction Advisor to the National Electric Power Company (NEPCO) of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan to assist in the development of a 573 MW power plant as an IPP under a Build-Own-Operate structure. IPP3 is a tri-fuel, reciprocating engine facility capable of operating on natural gas, diesel, or HFO, and it is the largest plant of its kind in the world.
K&M provided commercial, financial, regulatory, and technical support to develop the project’s conceptual design, key project agreements, and commercial structure. K&M developed the international competitive bid tender documents (PPA, government support, fuel, water, land, and grid connection agreement) and managed the entire tender and selection process. K&M also designed the evaluation model and selected a consortium composed of KEPCO, Mitsubishi, and Wärtsilä as the winning bidder to develop the project. On behalf of NEPCO, K&M led negotiations with the project developer to a successful financial close in March 2013 with KEXIM, Nippon Export and Investment Insurance (NEXI), KFW, Standard Chartered, Mizuho Bank, and Sumitomo Bank for a total of US$812 million.