Power station turbine hits another snag

The Delimara power station extension hit a new snag during testing this afternoon when a motor-pump supplying hydraulic oil to the steam turbine governor (speed/load control valve) tripped, Enemalta said. As a result, the system’s automatic protection activated, tripping the steam turbine. The cause of the hydraulic pump motor trip was investigated and identified as the overload relay in the hydraulic pump motor switchgear. Corrective action was taken and performance tests have now been resumed under the supervision of Enemalta and the specialist consultants, DNV KEMA. Enemalta said it will take over the power station extension when it and its consultants are satisfied with the outcome of the performance tests. The turbine was re-assembled last month after having been repaired in the UK. It was damaged during testing when a rotor blade broke after a strainer fault, bringing the whole testing process to a stop.