When less is more

This article highlights a better solution to solve the problem of insufficient electricity generating capacity, with an example from rapidly developing Azerbaijan. Azerenerji, the national electricity company of Azerbaijan, has applied the correct methodology for expanding generating capacity and have decided to install a new large single power plant of, say, 750 MW, that would add 15 per cent to the existing capacity. It has decided to install five power plants with each about 90 MW capacity right at locations where the electricity is needed that avoids excessive transmission and distribution losses. Azerbaijan has the power capacity matching its economic growth. Consequently, sufficient generating capacity has to be running all the time to compensate for instantaneous failure of at least the largest generator. Each new power plant consists of 10 identical gas-engine-driven generators of 9MW, with a net fuel efficiency close to 44 per cent under all circumstances, irrespective of their load.