The plant stands out for its operating efficiency of 60%, one of the highest in thermoelectric generation technologies. It runs on natural gas and combines two generation processes (gas turbine and steam turbine) to get the most out of the fuel, with an optimisation factor of over 90%.
OPTIMUS has taken part in this project, supplying the plant's PA, voice alarm, and industrial intercom systems.
Technical demands
A combined cycle power plant brings together two electricity generation technologies (gas and steam turbines) in a single infrastructure. It's a complex industrial environment that places strict technical demands on the audio and communication system:
- Zones with potentially explosive atmospheres in the natural gas handling areas and specific points of the process, where any electrical equipment has to be certified to operate without acting as an ignition source.
- High ambient noise levels in the turbine and generator halls, which call for PA systems with high sound pressure and audio processing capable of ensuring the intelligibility of operational and evacuation messages.
- Operational areas distributed throughout the plant, with the need for technical staff to communicate quickly between themselves and with the control room from any operational point, even under heavy use or accidental impact.
- A safety-critical function: at a plant on the scale of Salamanca, the PA and voice alarm system is a fundamental part of the staff safety infrastructure and emergency management.
The OPTIMUS solution
To meet this level of demand, OPTIMUS has designed an integrated solution of systems that can connect to a single network architecture.
PA and voice alarm: Compact System
At the heart of the system is the OPTIMUS Compact matrix, with an IF-7P4ETH/0 main unit and distributed amplification through 12 IF-7W250ETH units (250 W RMS with Ethernet connection). The setup is completed with MP-250WD1 and MP-120WD1 power modules, reaching a total output of nearly 4,000 W RMS across the installation.
This architecture distributes PA across the entire plant with continuous supervision of loudspeaker lines and amplifiers, and handles voice evacuation from the control room either centrally or automatically through connection to the fire detection system.
Operator control runs through a DC-700ETH console, which allows the control room operator to send messages to any area of the plant or to execute pre-programmed protocols.
Loudspeaker distribution
For sound distribution across the plant, 40 A-256BTM loudspeakers, 40 AC-850T loudspeakers, and BS-60BA units for specific zones have been supplied, covering the various operational and technical areas with sound pressure levels suited to each environment.
J&R industrial intercom
For operational communication between technical staff and the control room, 19 JR101-6B-H-SIP intercoms have been installed, with IP66 protection, IK10 vandal-resistant rating, front protective cover, telephone handset, 6 programmable buttons, and native SIP connectivity.
The 6 buttons can be configured for direct calls to pre-set destinations (control room, maintenance, security, and so on) without needing to dial, a real operational advantage in situations where response time is critical. The front protective cover prevents dust and dirt from building up on the keypad and handset in the industrial environment.
The installation is completed with JR-TP-02 units as complementary accessories.
A single technical point of contact
One of the advantages that weighed in the choice of OPTIMUS for this project is having a single manufacturer supply all three technical systems (PA, voice alarm, and industrial intercom) integrated into a single IP network architecture, with a single technical point of contact from design through to commissioning.
That translates into practical consequences for the project:
- Unified supervision of the whole system from the control room, with the same diagnostic logic for PA, voice alarm, and intercom.
- Simplified network infrastructure: all the equipment shares the same IP network, with no need for parallel infrastructures.
- Unified technical responsibility across design, supply, installation, and maintenance, without responsibility being spread across different manufacturers.
- Compatibility guaranteed across every layer of the system by design, not by subsequent integration.
A strategic project for the Mexican energy sector
The Salamanca Combined Cycle Power Plant is a reference project within Mexico's National Electricity Sector Strategy. CFE is also planning to develop a second unit at the same site (Salamanca II), adding 478 MW of capacity with an investment of over US$400 million, with operation scheduled to begin in 2028. A reflection of the strategic importance of this site within the country's electricity generation map.
Alongside this project, OPTIMUS has also been involved in the Villa de Reyes Combined Cycle Power Plant (San Luis Potosí), a second energy infrastructure for CFE delivered in November 2025. Two consecutive power generation projects for the same operator, confirming the confidence of Mexican energy operators in the OPTIMUS integrated offering. We're currently supplying equipment for other new Combined Cycle Power Plants in Mexico.
With more than 90 years of experience and a presence in more than 80 countries, OPTIMUS supports projects in combined cycle power plants, refineries, petrochemical plants, port terminals, and other demanding industrial infrastructure.
If you're developing an industrial project that calls for an integrated audio and communication offering, get in touch. We'll look at the specifics and put together the right technical solution for your operational needs.
