Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT) has started commercial operations of the 1.4GW Bang Pakong combined cycle power plant (Bang Pakong CCP) in Thailand’s Chachoengsao province.
Powered by GE’s equipment, the new power generation facility is made up of two gas-fired combined cycle blocks. These will replace the retired five blocks of the original Bang Pakong power plant, which was built in 1977.
The retried blocks were operated by burning natural gas and diesel. EGAT replaced them with the new units with an objective to boost efficiency and decrease the carbon footprint of the power project.
EGAT power plant development and renewable energy deputy governor Prasertsak Cherngchawano said: “This project is in response to the government’s commitment to the retirement of less efficient and older plants, to be replaced with new gas-powered highly efficient combined-cycle capacity as a solution to reduce emissions and increase the reliability and flexibility of Thailand’s power system.
“We trusted GE as an energy player with future-proof technology to help us provide more reliable and more sustainable power for our population now and in the following years.”
The two new gas-fired combined cycle blocks at the Bang Pakong CCP can meet the power requirements of nearly three million Thai households. They are equipped with two of GE’s 9HA.02 gas turbines, 50 Hz gas turbines, two advanced STF-A650 steam turbines, and two W86 generators.
The Bang Pakong power project is located nearly 60km south of Bangkok.
As part of a long-term services agreement signed with EGAT, the supply of parts and repairs and maintenance services for the Bang Pakong CCP will be handled by GE.
GE gas power Asia president and CEO Ramesh Singaram said: “In Thailand, GE continues to support the advancement of the country’s energy goals, working alongside our long-term customer EGAT.
“Similarly, the growth of gas power generation plays a crucial role in facilitating Thailand’s transition to a future with lower carbon emissions, as gas continues to be both an enabler of the energy transition as well as a destination technology.”
