GE announces first MXL2 power plant upgrade order in Vietnam

Accordingly, GE will upgrade four GT13E2 gas turbines with MXL2 upgrade packages for state-owned enterprise EVN Power Generation Corporation 3 (EVNGENCO3) at the Phu My power complex in Vietnam.

As part of GE’s recent acquisition of Alstom’s Power & Grid businesses, GE’s Power Services integrated a number of Alstom generating technologies into its portfolio, including the proven GT13E2 turbine, as well as the MXL2 upgrade package.

GE also assumed responsibility for a portfolio of Alstom power plant services contracts, including a long-term service agreement for the Phu My power complex.

“We value the proven performance of utilising the GT13E2 gas turbine technology and are cooperating with GE on MXL2 service upgrade solutions to achieve our operational goals, which we also are supporting through our recently opened gas turbine repair and reconditioning workshop at the Phu My power plant,” said Dinh Quoc Lam, president and CEO of EVNGENCO3.

“We look forward to building on our existing gas turbine technology collaboration now through GE’s Power Services,” Lam added.

The upgrades are expected to deliver a combined-cycle efficiency increase of 1 per cent, resulting in fuel savings of almost 2 per cent and reduced CO2 emissions.

Power output will increase by 50 megawatts (MW) and gas turbine inspection intervals will extend to 48,000 equivalent operating hours to reduce maintenance and repair expenses, reducing plant costs and improving profitability.

“We are excited to support EVN Power Generation Corporation 3 as it helps Vietnam achieve its strategic energy objectives to support the country’s goals for economic growth,” said Paul McElhinney, president and CEO of GE’s Power Services business.

“With Vietnam’s energy demand rising by more than 10 percent annually, the additional 50 MW this project brings will help ease national power shortages, particularly for the southern part of Vietnam,” he noted.

The GT13E2 MXL2 upgrade project for EVNGENCO3 is the first to be announced since GE completed its acquisition of Alstom’s power generation assets in early November.

The GT13E2 MXL2 upgrade uses Alstom’s proven F-class turbine blading technology to increase efficiency and extend turbine lifetime. Improved turbine sealing minimises losses, while advanced cooling technologies enable extension of the service interval.

The Phu My upgrade project also supports GE’s focus on Vietnam’s energy sector as part of its Asia Pacific growth strategy. Among its recent project announcements, in September 2015, GE announced that it will provide two high-efficiency, supercritical steam turbines and generators for PetroVietnam’s Long Phu 1 coal-fired power plant.