GE pioneers gas turbine tech in Phl

MANILA, Philippines - General Electric’s jet engine-based aeroderivative gas turbines have been chosen to power First Generation Corp.’s Avion power plant in the Philippines. The 97-megawatt plant will pave the way for increasing utilization of cleaner and more efficient energy technology in the local power generation industry. The GE LM6000 PC Sprint gas turbines will be the first of their kind in the country.

Aeroderivative gas turbine technology — part of GE’s Distributed Power portfolio — is an innovation derived from GE’s CF6 aviation engine, which powers many wide-body aircraft worldwide. “The same reliability, efficiency, low emission levels and fast-start capabilities from the CF6 are carried over into the LM6000 PC Sprint, providing a remarkably simple yet effective solution to address power needs quickly and flexibly,” explained Dennis Villasper, GE manager for power generation for Philippines and Guam. There are more than 3,200 aeroderivative gas turbines installed globally.

“We are thrilled to be collaborating with First Gen in addressing the growing energy needs of the Philippines with our distributed power technology,” said GE Philippines chief executive officer Jocot de Dios. “We are very grateful to First Gen for choosing the GE LM6000 gas turbine for the Avion project, and we are confident that our technology, which has been servicing many customers globally in different applications, will provide the perfect fit to the country’s pressing power needs.” 

GE aeroderivative gas turbines have the capability to burn both liquid fuel and natural gas.

Under First Gen unit Prime Meridian Powergen Corp., the Avion power plant will utilize Malampaya gas and diesel fuel and is seen to potentially utilize resources from the power producer’s planned liquified natural gas (LNG) terminal in Batangas.

The turbines provide fast, flexible and efficient power to address the needs of the local power grid, especially in a wholesale spot electricity segment. The LM6000 PC Sprint can accommodate a variety of operating needs, including fast starts and peak loads, while leading the industry in high availability and reliability. 

With an expected 10-month project completion goal, Avion will be the fastest built power project in the Philippines and ready to handle future power crises in 2015 onwards. The modular package design of the LM6000 PC Sprint allows for faster installation and lower costs compared to other configurations, and the increasing use of natural gas in the region makes GE’s technology an ideal fit in ASEAN countries.