GE Vernova Inc. (NYSE: GEV) has announced the commencement of commercial operations at Tongyeong Eco Power’s new combined cycle power plant in Gyeongsangnam-do, South Korea. This one-gigawatt (GW) LNG-fueled facility, located in Anjeong Industrial Park, features a 200,000-cbm LNG storage tank and is expected to generate enough electricity to power nearly 1 million Korean households.
For this project, GE Vernova supplied two 7HA.02 gas turbines, an STF-D600 steam turbine, two Heat Recovery Steam Generators (HRSG), and three H65 generators. Additionally, GE Vernova will provide long-term maintenance services for the gas turbines and generators over the next 17 years. The adoption of GE Vernova’s advanced HA technology is seen as a step towards strengthening South Korea’s energy self-reliance.
Ramesh Singaram, President and CEO of GE Vernova’s Gas Power business in Asia, highlighted the significance of this milestone, noting the critical role of LNG in diversifying South Korea’s energy mix away from coal and oil, which still make up about 60% of the country’s power generation. South Korea’s major utilities are increasingly shifting from coal-fired plants to LNG as they work to support renewable energy initiatives, with other prominent projects, such as those by Naepo Green Energy Co. Ltd. and Korea Southern Power Co. Ltd. (KOSPO), also utilizing GE Vernova’s HA gas turbines.
The 7HA gas turbines are capable of significant CO2 emission reductions compared to traditional coal-fired plants. The company estimates that each HA turbine could save more than 3.3 million metric tons of CO2 emissions annually, comparable to taking around 680,000 cars off the road per unit. Additionally, these turbines can operate on fuel blends, including hydrogen and natural gas, to further aid in reducing emissions.
With over 2.5 million commercial operating hours, it’s HA turbines have become a global leader in heavy-duty gas turbine technology, supporting the energy transition worldwide. For more than 45 years, GE Vernova has collaborated with Korean companies on key infrastructure projects, and its turbines now provide over 14 GW of power generation capacity in South Korea.
GE Vernova (NYSE: GEV) is a global energy-focused company encompassing segments in Power, Wind, and Electrification, supported by an innovation-focused accelerator unit. With over 130 years of experience, it aims to drive the global energy transition by advancing electrification while working to reduce carbon emissions. Headquartered in Cambridge, Massachusetts, GE Vernova operates in more than 100 countries with a workforce of 75,000. As a leader in gas turbines and power plant technologies, GE Vernova combines its legacy of quality and innovation with its commitment to a sustainable, reliable, and secure energy future.
