GE has secured an order for generation equipment for PetroVietnam Power Corporation’s Nhon Trach 3 & 4 power plant in Dong Nai Province.

It will supply two blocks of more than 800 MW each including a GE 9HA.02 gas turbine, the company’s most efficient 50 Hz gas turbine, an STF-D650 steam turbine, a W88 generator, and others.

It marks the US firm’s first H-Class gas turbine order in Viet Nam.

Once in commercial operation in 2025, the plant, the first to be fuelled by liquefied natural gas in the country, is expected to deliver over 1.6 GW of electricity.

The highly efficient natural gas means the power plant will have a lower environmental impact than thermal plants.

On May 11 a memorandum of understanding to develop solutions to improve the efficiency of the existing Nhon Trach 1 plant and long-term co-operation for the maintenance of Nhon Trach 3 and 4 was signed by GE and PV Power in the presence of Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, who was on a visit to the US.

“Renewable energy is expected to grow significantly in Viet Nam while at the same time, lower-carbon and highly efficient gas power generation will play a crucial role in supporting this growth while ensuring grid stability and reliability,” Ramesh Singaram, president and CEO, Asia, GE Gas Power, said.

“This first of its kind project is expected to open up a new chapter for gas power generation in Viet Nam and we are proud to begin developing the first HA project in the country in alignment with its national energy goals for a more sustainable national economic growth.”

In Viet Nam, 11 power plants use GE equipment, generating 25 per cent of the country’s needs. — VNS