GE Engineered Equipment Package (EEP) at Pennsylvania CC Power Plant

GE announced an order for a single shaft engineered equipment package (EEP), with a high-efficiency 7HA.02 gas turbine at its heart, to power the Ares EIF’s Birdsboro Power combined-cycle power plant in Birdsboro, Pennsylvania, USA.

With the help of GE’s latest power generation technology and financing from GE Capital, Birdsboro Power is expected to produce 488 MW upon commercial operation in 2019.

“We are pleased to bring this new plant online, which will help continue the shift to cleaner, more cost-effective power in the PJM region,” said Mark Voccola, a partner in Ares EIF, within the Ares Private Equity Group. “The abundance of low-cost natural gas in Pennsylvania means GE’s large, high-efficiency 7HA.02 technology is a great fit, supporting the region’s increased use of natural gas for power generation.”

The 7HA.02 incorporates a 14-stage advanced compressor with 3D aerodynamic foils with superfinish, three stages of variable stator vanes and field-replaceable blades.

“As the largest digital-industrial company, GE is uniquely positioned to bring a complete package of cutting-edge products and solutions to our customers,” said Joe Mastrangelo, president & CEO, GE Gas Power Systems.  “We’re able to provide critical financing to complete this project and deliver the world’s most efficient combined-cycle technology so that Birdsboro can provide more reliable, flexible and efficient power for the people of Pennsylvania.”

In addition to the equipment order, GE, through GE Capital’s Energy Financial Services, co-lead arranged senior secured credit facilities with CIT Bank and Investec, which will be used to support construction and operations of the plant.

The Birdsboro Power project was developed by EmberClear Corp., and the order includes one 7HA.02 gas turbine, one D650 steam turbine, one heat recovery steam generator (HRSG), plant controls and additional equipment. The gas turbine will be manufactured in Greenville, South Carolina, USA, and the steam turbine in Schenectady, New York. The turbines will operate in single-shaft combined-cycle configurations, providing the flexibility required to add highly-efficient, reliable power to the grid as needed.

This project marks GE’s 21st HA unit booked in the U.S. The HA is GE’s largest and most efficient gas turbine. GE’s Power Services has also signed a multi-year services agreement for continued maintenance of the facility’s power generation equipment.

GE wins first of its kind contract of oOEM services

Powering the Middle East! GE wins first of its kind contract servicing a generator manufactured by another Original Equipment Manufacturer (oOEM) highlighting GE’s expanded capabilities to service oOEM products.

One of the most exciting aspects of GE’s acquisition of Alstom’s energy portfolio in November 2015 was how it would potentially enhance the company’s range of total plant solutions, cross fleet capabilities and regional presence. This includes the ability to service non-GE equipment within the Middle East & Africa (MEA) region.

One such example is the recent execution by GE’s Power Services business of an agreement with Suez-Tractabel Operation & Maintenance Oman LLC (STOMO) for stator rewinding services, high speed balancing of the rotor, as well as digital solutions for an Ansaldo generator at the Barka II Power and Desalination Plant.

Located about 50 kilometers away from Muscat, Barka II can deliver up to 120,000 cubic meters per day of potable water, as well as 678 megawatts (MW) of electrical power to the Sultanate of Oman. The contract was the first of its kind for Power Services to be executed in the Middle East region.

The generator stator rewinding is expected to extend the asset’s life for approximately 20 years and was conducted on site. GE also leveraged its regional strengths by undertaking inspection services and high speed balancing for the rotor at the Global Repair Solutions Jebel Ali Generator Service Center in Dubai.

Further enhancing the maintenance, GE also provided a generator health monitoring suite, which allows for improved asset management.

“GE’s deep understanding of the industry, technological capabilities and advanced suite of digital industrial solutions positioned them as a trusted partner of choice,” said Jurgen De Vyt, Chief Executive Officer, SMN Power Holding Company. “The services were delivered as per internationally recognized standards through proactive, on-the-ground support by GE’s highly qualified team of engineers, helping us increase our competitiveness.”

GE’s Global Repair Solutions Jebel Ali Generator Service Center in Dubai is the only facility in the Middle East, North Africa and Pakistan region to provide high-speed balancing services. This allows any type of rotor repairs and field rewinds requiring high-speed testing, thereby reducing the risk of failure during onsite commissioning and improving the availability and reliability of the power plant.

With one of the largest services portfolios in the industry and expanded total plant solutions capabilities, GE’s Power Services now can support more than 90 OEM brands across all major plant assets and service any type of generator (30+ OEM brands).

GE is a key partner in supporting the Sultanate of Oman’s energy production and has had an active presence in the country since 1975. GE has an office in Muscat and an Electric Submersible Pumps (ESP) Field Service & Repair Center in Nimr. More than 80 turbines installed by GE support the generation of over 8 gigawatts of power in Oman, serving nearly half the country’s production.