APR Energy partners with Pratt & Whitney for 25 MW turbines

APR Energy (APR) has entered into a partnership with Pratt & Whitney Power Systems (PWPS) that will give APR exclusive access to Pratt & Whitney's 25 MW mobile gas turbines for rental applications.

The two companies have already cooperated - with PWPS supplying five units to APR for a major rental contract in Japan earlier this year - but the new agreement will see PWPS supply its FT8 MOBILPAC containerised power turbines to APR on an exclusive basis for the rental industry.

APR, which has already ordered 100 MW of units from Pratt & Whitney, said the agreement includes a 12 month warranty as well as a five-year service agreement and access to PWPS's global service network.

The deal follows APR's recent agreement with Caterpillar and Cat dealer Ring Power for the supply of diesel powered generators. As with that agreement, Pratt & Whitney will refer temporary power enquiries directly to APR.

At the same time, APR announced a 63.5% increase in sales to US$57.5 million for the three months to 30 September. This reflects contract wins as well as a much bigger fleet - the company's total fleet capacity was 804 MW at the end of the quarter compared to 358 MW a year ago.

APR's chief executive officer, John Campion, said the company was very pleased with its progress; "The recent agreements with Caterpillar and now Pratt & Whitney position us to accelerate our growth strategy and deliver world-class temporary power solutions with an unparalleled breadth of technologies supported by truly global partners. The strength of our current project pipeline gives us continued confidence in our future performance."

The Pratt & Whitney FT8 MOBILEPAC unit is described as offering an ideal fit for APR's fleet. Its modular design allows it to be rapidly deployed and installed and it offers dual fuel flexibility and remote starting capabilities.

"After the successful provision of FT8 modular units for our emergency power projects in Japan, APR and Pratt & Whitney felt confident that a partnership would thrive," said Mr Campion.

"This partnership complements our recent agreement with Caterpillar and Ring Power for diesel engine units and means we can greatly increase the immediate availability of turbine resources to APR Energy's customers globally, as well as jointly promoting new temporary power contracts."

Peter Christman, president of Pratt & Whitney Power Systems, said the partnership would allow the company to focus on its core OEM business "of providing advanced turbine equipment and aftermarket services, and to also take full advantage of APR's experience in fast-track installation and operation of temporary power plants."

The MOBILEPAC gas turbine package includes two trailers. The first contains the gas turbine, electric generator, exhaust collector, diffuser and engine lube oil system, and the second trailer carries the 15 kV switchgear, control system, operation panel, protective relays, batteries and charger, motor control centre and the hydraulic start package. It can be operating within a day of arriving on site.

Meanwhile, APR continues to develop its regional hub network. A hub is due to open in Panama in early 2012 followed another in the Middle East.