Parnaiba natural gas thermal power generation park in Brazil. Image courtesty Eneva

GE has secured a second order for its H-Class gas turbine technology from Brazilian gas operator Eneva.

The combined cycle technology will be used to expand the Azulão II Reserve Power Plant, which will deliver up to 590MW of electricity to support grid stability.

The new power plant consists of a 7HA.02 gas turbine, an STF-A650 steam turbine, an H65 and an H53 generator, and a triple-pressure reheat Heat Recovery Steam Generator (HRSG).

According to GE, adding the HRSG and steam turbine/generator will increase the plant’s energy efficiency by diverting thermal energy from being released to the atmosphere to power the steam turbine and generate up to an additional 230MW.

The plant is expected to achieve commercial operation in 2027.

In October 2022, Eneva ordered a GE 7HA.02 gas turbine for the Azulão reserve power plant, built next to this newly announced power plant. This first plant is expected to be operational by 2026.

GE gas turbine 7HA.02 for Brazil. Image: GE

“GE’s highly efficient, reliable and advanced H-class combined cycle plant can provide the needed flexible power to support Eneva’s isolated natural gas production operations and Brazil’s renewable-rich grid, utilizing these valuable natural resources to provide lower-emissions electricity to Brazilian homes and businesses across the country,” said Dave Ross, president & CEO for GE Gas Power in the Americas.

This project is GE’s second H-Class combined cycle plant in Brazil, the first being for the Port de Sergipe thermal plant.

In order to support the increase in renewable generation in Brazil, the grid infrastructure is expected to continue to require the stability provided by gas turbine technology, suggests GE. Renewables capacity is expected to grow 17% from today’s 159GW to 186GW in 2032.