Mitsubishi Power, a power solutions brand under Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI), has completed the construction of the eighth and final M701JAC unit for a 5,300MW natural gas-fired power plant in Thailand.
This project, a joint venture between Gulf Energy Development Public Company, one of Thailand’s largest independent power producers (IPP), and Japanese trading company Mitsui & Co., began full commercial operations on 1 October 2024.
This milestone signifies the on-time completion of a multi-phase project awarded in 2018, which includes two gas turbine combined cycle (GTCC) plants located in the Chonburi and Rayong Provinces – both key hubs for technological manufacturing and services.
Combined, these plants offer a total installed capacity of 5,300MW. Each facility is equipped with four M701JAC gas turbines, steam turbines, and heat recovery steam generators, providing a dependable and sustainable energy supply critical to Thailand’s energy security and economic growth.
As of 1 October, the first seven units installed across Chonburi and Rayong have accumulated 100,000 actual operating hours (AOH), demonstrating their proven reliability.
The first phase of the project, located at the Chonburi power plant, marked a significant achievement with the installation of Mitsubishi Power’s first J-Series Air-Cooled (JAC) gas turbine in Southeast Asia in 2021. The plant was completed in October 2022.
Mitsubishi Power collaborated closely with its customers and construction partners throughout the project, continuously applying lessons learned from previous units to improve the overall quality and performance of the installation.
Gulf Energy Development Public Company deputy CEO Boonchai Thirati said: “As a result of our collective efforts as a team, we successfully navigated challenges posed by COVID-19 and commenced the operation of all eight units on schedule. We thank all our partners for their excellent performance and look forward to continuing our partnership to deliver stable electricity to communities across Thailand.”
Mitsubishi Power executive vice president Takao Tsukui said: “Having overcome challenging circumstances, including COVID-19, we completed each of the remaining units every six months. Today, all units are fully operational on schedule – a testament to the unwavering collaboration of everyone involved, and a milestone we take immense pride in.
“As our first JAC gas turbine project in Southeast Asia, the GTCC plants in Chonburi and Rayong Provinces set the stage for contracting over 90 JAC gas turbines globally. We are deeply grateful for the trust placed in us and are committed to ensuring the continued success of this project through our long-term service agreement.”
Following the completion of the two GTCC power plants, Mitsubishi Power remains dedicated to maintaining the facilities under a long-term service agreement (LTSA). Alongside the Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) contract, a 25-year power purchase agreement with the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT) and a 25-year LTSA with Mitsubishi Power have been put in place.
