Louis Berger JV assumes operations and maintenance for 56 MW power plant at Bagram Airfield

MORRISTOWN, N.J., Nov. 6, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Berger/Cummins, a joint venture between Louis Berger and Cummins Power Generation, has successfully assumed operations and maintenance of a 56 MW gas turbine power plant on Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan. The power plant is part of a $37 million, three-and-a-half year contract to operate and maintain Bagram's base-wide power generation, electrical distribution and lighting infrastructure for the U.S. Forces Afghanistan and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Philadelphia District.

"We are proud to serve the military's need for fast, reliable, turnkey power solutions, like those at Bagram," said Frank Jordano, P.E., president of Louis Berger Power, LLC. "The 30 day phase-in period was exceptionally challenging and we're proud to be able to meet aggressive deadlines to support the base's enduring mission."

The 56 MW plant is Berger/Cummins' largest power plant project in Afghanistan to date. Berger/Cummins will also be responsible for operations and maintenance of the base's medium voltage overhead and underground distribution system — greater than 100-kilometers in total length and comprised of more than 600 substations, along with base-wide perimeter and area lighting to include photovoltaics.
Contract mobilization activities involved the successful completion of a challenging and intense 30-day phase-in period. These activities included setting in place various technical support agreements with the original equipment manufacturer; purchasing of specialty tools and equipment to include pole and auger trucks; leasing an Antonov-124 charter for air transport directly into Bagram; conducting specialized gas turbine training for key personnel; and the hiring and in-processing of new staff. All this was accomplished while the adjacent Berger/Cummins 30 MW lease plant was demobilized during the same 30-day period, which independently involved more than 1,250 tons and 70 truck-loads of equipment. Berger/Cummins' operation and maintenance contract has options through March 23, 2018.

Since March 2011 in Afghanistan, Berger/Cummins has operated, maintained or constructed a total of 13 power plants on nine United States, NATO and Afghan bases totalling more than 180 MW in installed capacity.

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