Engie has selected GE’s power services to modernise generation equipment at its 1056MW Loy Yang B coal-fired power station in Victoria’s Latrobe Valley.
GE will upgrade two Hitachi heavy-duty steam turbines, targeting to boost capacity by a combined 84MW and reducing fuel consumption by approximately five per cent for each MW generated.
The upgrades at Loy Yang B are part of Engie’s Greenhouse Intensity Improvement Project underway at the power plant, aimed to increase operational flexibility while also decreasing greenhouse intensity.
“This project will help increase the efficiency and overall sustainability at Loy Yang B,” general manager for the Asia-Pacific region for GE’s Power Services Anders Maltesen.
“The Loy Yang B station project marks the first time globally that GE has been selected to service a heavy-duty Hitachi steam.
“The project reflects the global energy sector’s recognition of GE’s expanded capabilities to service power generation equipment from other manufacturers following the company’s acquisition of Alstom Power in 2015.”
According to the 2016 National Electricity Forecasting Report from the Australian Energy Market Operator, Australia’s independent energy and power systems operator, consumption from the manufacturing sector is forecast to increase 6.4 per cent over the next 20 years and consumption from other business sectors – such as commercial and industrial applications – is forecast to increase by approximately 10.9 percent over the same span of time.
With the generation equipment upgrades from GE, total plant output is expected to increase to 1140MW and increases GE’s installed base of power capacity in Australia by more than 1GW.
The upgrades are expected to be completed throughout 2019 and 2020.
