- GE’s High Efficiency (HE) upgrade for GT26 gas turbine technology is scheduled to be installed at InterGen’s 800 Megawatts (MW) Coryton Power Plant in 2025
- The modernization is expected to enhance the performance of two GT26 gas turbines through advanced technologies from the combination of GE’s H-Class and F-Class fleets with additive manufactured parts and innovations in aerodynamics
- The HE upgrades aim to increase power capacity by up to 77 MW, improve efficiency and achieve fuel savings that can represent a reduction of up to approximately 67,500 tonnes1 equivalent of carbon emissions each year
LONDON, the United Kingdom — Continuing to keep customers’ gas turbine fleets competitive in the UK’s energy marketplace, GE Vernova’ Gas Power business (NYSE: GE) today announced an order from InterGen, one of the largest independent power producers in the United Kingdom, for two High Efficiency (HE) upgrades to modernize the Coryton Power Plant. The 800 megawatt (MW) combined cycle power plant, located 30 miles east of London on the River Thames, is powered by two GT26 gas turbines. The upgrades will be installed in 2025.
GE’s HE upgrade utilizes technology breakthroughs across gas turbine, compressor and combustor that will help Coryton Power Plant deliver approximately additional 77 MW of power output, increase the units’ efficiency, and extend ongoing maintenance intervals. In addition, the modernization is expected to result in a reduction of approximately 67,500 tonnes equivalent of carbon emissions each year, in line with the government’s goals to lower the carbon footprint in the country, by requiring less fuel to produce the same amount of power compared to the plant’s current output.
“Ar InterGen we continue to invest in the energy transition by boosting flexible generation to ensure the stability of grids as renewable generation increases, while developing advanced solutions that keep the lights on, at a manageable cost for our customers—and we see GE as a reliable player and technological innovator to drive these goals forward,” said Jim Lightfoot, InterGen’s CEO. “We selected GE’s HE upgrade because of its excellent part load efficiency and its fuel-flexible combustion system. With this innovative upgrade, we expect that our power station will benefit from improved efficiency and increased output, in line with our goals.”
Gas power plays an important role in facilitating the transition to a lower carbon future. Natural gas-fired power plants are the lowest emitting fossil fuel power plants, whether measured based on CO2, SOx, NOx, particulate matter, or mercury. Today, GE is advancing flexible, efficient and reliable gas power generation solutions, because of their fundamental role to complement renewables towards a more sustainable energy future.
GE has invested significantly in the development of this upgrade, which was introduced in 2019. This technology combines the best from both GE’s F- and H-Class fleets with additive manufactured parts and innovations in aerodynamics, material science and combustion dynamics—and provides a leap forward in efficiency, output and maintenance interval extensions. Six GT26 units upgraded with the HE are already in operation with more than 47,000 operating hours.
“Once installed in 2025, this project will mark our tenth HE upgrade and our customers including InterGen continue to reap the benefits from this advanced upgrade for the GT26 fleet,” said Joseph Anis, President & CEO, Europe, Middle East & Africa at GE Gas Power.
Mr Lightfoot added that “GE’s HE upgrade can help increase the output, efficiency, flexibility, lifespan and availability of the two GT26 gas turbines installed at Coryton, while reducing fuel consumption and environmental impact. Additionally, these turbines are highly flexible and able to operate on a variety of fuels, including blends of hydrogen and natural gas, to offer InterGen pathways to reduce carbon emissions in the next decade.”
1] Considering/
Same number of kWh produced per year before/ after modernization, 6,500 operating hours per year
Upstream gas CO2 eq. avoided emissions not counted
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