GE To Power Combined-Cycle Plant In Pennsylvania

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.