KUALA LUMPUR: GE has secured an order to provide power generation equipment for the 1,200 megawatts (MW) Pulau Indah power plant in Selangor.

The US-listed company said on Wednesday the contract was from the engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) consortium of Posco Engineering & Construction Co. Ltd (Posco), Mitsubishi Corporation and PEC Powercon Sdn Bhd.

It said the plant it will consist of a two-block combined cycle power plant, featuring a total plant configuration that is modular and cost-effective to install, control and maintain.

GE will provide two blocks of 600 megawatts (MW), each including a GE 9HA.01 gas turbine, an STF-D650 steam turbine, a W88 generator and a once through heat recovery steam generator (OT HRSG).

It said GE’s OT HRSG technology is a key enabler in advanced water-steam cycles delivering higher combined cycle efficiency, while GE’s 9HA is the company’s flagship and most efficient 50 Hz gas turbine. The natural gas fired Pulau Indah power plant is targeted to achieve commercial operations in 2024.

For the project, GE signed a 21-year services agreement with Pulau Indah Power Plant Sdn Bhd (PIPP), a special purpose vehicle led by Selangor state-linked Worldwide Holdings Bhd and Korea Electric Power Corporation (Kepco). Worlwide holds 75% of PIPP and the rest by Kepco.

PIPP executive director Datin Paduka Norazlina Zakaria said Malaysia in particular, Selangor has seen massive economic development, urbanisation and population growth in the last three decades, which have been major drivers for its increasing demand for energy, although accompanied with increasing greenhouse gas emissions.

“It was crucial for us to select a highly efficient technology, like GE’s 9HA.01, to help reduce the amount of fuel used to generate electricity, and working with GE to provide services and cost-effective performance improvements on the power generation equipment will help us achieve our goals, ” she said.

Malaysia seeks to achieve 45% CO2 emissions reduction target by 2030 across key industries including power generation.

Given the challenge of growing economies to reduce emissions, availability of viable lower carbon technology has become a critical focus. Under the plan, improving electricity generation efficiency in thermal power plants supports the country’s emission reduction goals.

President and CEO of GE Gas Power Asia Ramesh Singaram (pic) said the 9HA gas turbine at its core was engineered from the ground up to be extremely efficient and flexible to help keep emissions low.

“This includes high ramp rates and fast start up times to meet fluctuating demand, and the capability to burn up to 50% by volume of hydrogen when blended with natural gas. We see continued efficiency gains in the years to come, ” he said.