GE Vernova said the energy giant has completed a modernization project at InterGen’s 800 MW Coryton power station in the United Kingdom. On February 9, the group said the work included two high efficiency (HE) upgrades to the GT26 gas turbines, delivering 85 MW of additional generating capacity, an efficiency gain of 2.46%. The project is also expected to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by approximately 67,500 tonnes per year. Officials said Monday that the modernization work supports grid reliability as more renewable energy resources are added to the transmission and distribution system. The Coryton plant is a combined cycle facility located 30 miles east of London on the River Thames. “We were impressed by the tenacity of the GE Vernova service teams and the notable impact of the HE upgrades, which delivered higher-than-expected efficiency and power output,” said Daniel Fosberg, CEO of InterGen. “At InterGen, we are committed to investing in the energy transition by enhancing flexible generation to ensure grid stability as renewable energy rises. We also create cutting-edge solutions to ensure reliable energy supply at an affordable cost for our customers, and GE Vernova has proven to be a reliable player and technology innovator in driving these goals.”
GE Vernova’s HE upgrade uses technological advances in gas turbines, compressors and combustion chambers. The company said Monday that the advancements allow the Coryton power plant to deliver up to an additional 85 MW of power, above the expected increase of 77 MW. The updates are also designed to extend maintenance intervals. Officials said Monday that maintenance work at Coryton included borescope inspections on two generators and steam turbines, valve inspections and electrical testing of all components. GE Vernova’s Coryton project team included more than 300 experts from project management, engineering, parts, procurement, One Field Services (OFS), logistics and manufacturing teams around the world, working in collaboration with InterGen. “This project underlines our continued commitment to keeping our customers’ gas turbine fleets competitive in the UK energy landscape,” said Joseph Anis, president and CEO of GE Vernova’s Gas Power business in Europe, the Middle East and Africa. “The scope and nature of this project was extraordinary and demonstrated our ability to deliver high-impact, efficient solutions that not only meet but exceed our customers’ expectations. GE Vernova GT26 gas turbines can operate on a variety of fuels, including hydrogen and natural gas blends, to provide InterGen pathways to reducing carbon emissions in the future.” —David Proctor is a senior editor at POWER.