Taiwan power plant gets upgrade

GE supplied LM2500XPRESS gas turbine generator sets with a total installed capacity of 180MW to Taiwan Power Co.’s Tung Hsiao power plant. The installation was completed within 10 months to improve the power supply reliability of Taiwan. (Image: GE)

GE reports that the upgrade of the Tung Hsiao Power Plant in Taiwan has been completed.

The upgrade added 180 MW using six GE LM2500XPRESS aeroderivative gas turbines. The project was installed within 10 months following the start of construction in February 2022. The recently installed units will support the intermittent supply from nearby offshore wind power plants which are under construction. The new plant provides the needed additional flexibility to accelerate coal-to-gas transition and support renewables growth in alignment with Taiwan’s target of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050, GE said.

The Tung Hsiao Power Plant Renewal Project supports Taiwan’s Renewable Energy Development Act (REDA) energy policy which seeks to increase the gas-fired power ratio to 50% by 2025. The installed GE aeroderivative gas turbines can run on high blends of hydrogen with a future path towards a 100% hydrogen combustion to further support Taiwan Power Co.’s decarbonization initiatives, GE said.

Tung Hsiao Power Plant Renewal Project offers 8-minute fast start from cold metal to full load and the ability to perform daily starts without impacting maintenance cycles. This flexibility and durability will help TPC better integrate more renewable energy sources and support their energy transition towards a sustainable future, GE said.

“This plant plays a crucial role in supporting the diversification of energy sources in Taiwan. We are proud to provide fast, flexible and more sustainable aeroderivative gas power—on or off the grid—to support TPC in their energy transition program and support the increased use of renewable solar and wind power,” said Ramesh Singaram, CEO of GE Gas Power for Asia. “The scope and nature of this EPC turnkey project were extraordinary. GE not only provided its advanced aeroderivative gas turbine technology, but the various supporting and auxiliary components of a power plant system required to produce energy. Additionally, we completed this project with full adherence to Taiwan Power Corporation requirements while strengthening and maintaining the high safety standard.”

GE has been supporting the development of the energy system in Taiwan since 1961. GE-built power generation technologies are installed throughout Taiwan with over 30 gas turbines providing close to 6000 MW of installed capacity.