Hera Diesel Power Plant
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Hera Diesel Power Plant | |
|---|---|
 | |
 | |
| Country | Timor-Leste |
| Location | Cristo Rei, Dili |
| Coordinates | 8°32′24.7″S 125°41′24.5″E / 8.540194°S 125.690139°E |
| Status | Operational |
| Construction began | February 2009 |
| Commission date | December 2011 |
| Owner | Electricidade de Timor-Leste |
| Operator | Wärtsilä |
| Thermal power station | |
| Primary fuel | Diesel fuel |
| Power generation | |
| Nameplate capacity | 119 MW |
| External links | |
| Commons | Related media on Commons |
Hera Diesel Power Plant is a 119 MW oil-fired generating station on the coast at Hera, about 15 km east of Dili in Timor-Leste. Built under the 2008 National Electricity Project and owned by state utility EDTL, it forms one half of the country's twin-site diesel base load system together with the Betano plant, supplying the bulk of Timor-Leste's grid power and acting as a strategic reserve while policymakers explore gas conversion and expanded renewables.
Construction began in February 2009 after the government selected Hera as the northern hub of its nation-wide electrification programme.[1] Seven generator sets arrived in September 2011,[2] and commercial operation started early in 2012, making Hera the first utility-scale source of baseload power for the northern grid.[3] A 29 September 2017 agreement appointed Wärtsilä to ensure long-term energy availability and undertake full operations and maintenance (O&M).[4]
Plant configuration and operations
The station uses seven Wärtsilä 18V46 medium-speed reciprocating engines that can run on diesel or heavy fuel oil, giving a net capacity of 119.5 MW and exporting power through a 150 kV switch-yard to the national transmission ring.[5] Together with the 136 MW Betano plant, Hera supplies more than 90 percent of utility electricity and consumes roughly three-quarters of Timor-Leste's imported petroleum.[6][5] Generation costs in 2021 averaged US$0.35–0.45 per kWh—two to three times the regulated tariff—so the fleet operates with substantial government subsidy.[5] An Asian Development Bank study presented in 2023 noted that all engines are technically convertible to natural gas and that EDTL is assessing this option to curb fuel costs and emissions.[6] Wärtsilä continues to hold the O&M contract, renewed in July 2012.[7]
