At the end of September, the Šoštanj thermal power plant began an extensive replacement of key components in its first gas turbine, a complex maintenance operation expected to be completed by the end of this month. Once the work concludes, engineers will conduct a five-day testing phase to measure performance under various turbine loads. The total cost of the project is estimated at 7.4 million euros.
According to plant management, the overhaul follows the manufacturer’s maintenance schedule, which recommends servicing after around 2,000 equivalent operational cycles. The project is extensive, involving the replacement of critical turbine and compressor parts, including burners, the combustion chamber, rotor and guide blades of the first and second turbine stages, the turbine casing guide, the turbine disk, and the compressor’s rotor and guide blades. Stator protection on the generator is also being replaced.
In parallel, several auxiliary systems are being inspected and serviced, such as the generator, the start-up unit with gearbox, and the oil, cooling, and sealing systems. A similar maintenance operation is scheduled for the second gas turbine in April next year.
The plant has carefully coordinated the maintenance schedule to prevent any disruption in district heating for consumers in the Šaleška Valley. During the overhaul, heat supply will be maintained by operating the second gas turbine and, if necessary, unit 6 of the power plant.
