Yesterday, GE confirmed that it secured its first order in Mexico for 7HA.01 gas turbine technology with long-time customer Iberdrola (view graphic in gallery).
The order includes GE’s extended scope portfolio and will result in a highly-efficient, digitally-enabled combined cycle power plant as part of the Topolobampo III project.
When completed in 2020, the Topolobampo III project will generate 766 megawatts (MW), the equivalent power needed to supply up to 2.5 million average Mexican homes.
The Topolobampo III power plant will use two 7HA.01 gas turbines (the first to be used in Mexico), a D650 steam turbine, three generators and two heat recovery steam generators (HRSG) and the plant control system from GE’s extended scope portfolio.
Outfitted with GE’s Digital Power Plant capabilities using advanced controls and control systems powered by Predix - the platform for the Industrial Internet - plants can use real-time data to deliver better outcomes with stable and efficient operations.
The combined-cycle power plant will support the growing energy demand in Mexico in the years to come, which has grown by 25 percent since 2000.
In addition, Mexico’s electricity demand is booming at three times the rate of the OECD average, and electricity consumption is expected to grow by 50 percent in the next 25 years. Engineering support for the project will take place from GEIQ, GE’s highly advanced engineering center in Queretaro, Mexico, where local engineers will support the commissioning, entrance into service and aftermarket operations.
GEIQ has 18 years of experience supporting regional customers from across GE’s businesses in Latin America.
GE has invested almost $2 billion in HA technology’s development to provide a combination of the highest efficiency and superior operational flexibility, leading the industry in total life cycle value.
The 7HA.01 also can start and provide full power in less than 10 minutes giving added flexibility to quickly meet changing grid demand. Flexibility is important for incorporating renewable energy sources into the grid like wind and solar power.
GE’s 7HA.01 is more efficient and cleaner burning than alternative technologies, resulting in fewer emissions per MW of electricity generated by the plant.
