Energy group Holding Energia Risorse Ambiente (HERA; Bologna, Italy) has awarded Siemens Power Transmission and Distribution (PTD; Erlangen, Germany) an order for the delivery of high- and medium-voltage switchgear and the associated measurement, control and protection technology for eight new power plants.

HERA, the first Italian multi-utility in the service sector for power and water supply and environmental technology, is currently constructing three of eight planned power plants in the Emilia Romagna region for the combined generation of power and heat from waste. The power plants under construction are in the cities of Ferrara, Forli and soon in the city of Imola.

Delivery of the first switchgear bays for the power plant in Ferrara is planned for January 2007. The last of the switchgears to be supplied by Siemens PTD for the power plant project is scheduled to go into operation in 2009.

As part of this project, Siemens is delivering 132-kV switchgear, both gas insulated and air insulated, along with 15-kV switchgear and other medium-voltage equipment for emergency supply from the local distribution system, protection and control system, protection relays and power transformers.

The order also includes supervision of assembly as well as commissioning.