GE Vernova’s gas power to upgrade InterGen’s Coryton Power Plant in UK

GE Vernova’s Gas Power business has secured an order from InterGen, one of the UK’s largest independent power producers, for two high efficiency (HE) upgrades to modernize the Coryton Power Plant.

The combined cycle power plant, located on the River Thames, approximately 30 miles east of London, boasts an 800MW output and is powered by two GT26 gas turbines. The upgrades are set to be installed in 2025.

The HE upgrade by GE utilizes technological innovations in gas turbine, compressor, and combustor fields, offering numerous benefits to the Coryton Power Plant.

The modernization is projected to deliver an additional 77MW of power output, enhance the units’ efficiency, and extend ongoing maintenance intervals. These enhancements will reduce the plant’s carbon emissions by around 67,500 tonnes equivalent each year, aligning with the UK government’s ambitions to lower the country’s carbon footprint. This decrease in emissions will be achieved by utilizing less fuel to produce the same amount of power compared to the plant’s current output.

InterGen selects GE Vernova’s high efficiency upgrades for Coryton Power Plant. Photo courtesy of terry joyce / Coryton Energy Company Ltd / CC BY-SA 2.0 / Wikimedia Commons.

Jim Lightfoot — InterGen CEO said: “Ar InterGen we continue to invest in the energy transition by boosting flexible generation to ensure the stability of grids as renewable generation increases, while developing advanced solutions that keep the lights on, at a manageable cost for our customers—and we see GE as a reliable player and technological innovator to drive these goals forward.

“We selected GE’s HE upgrade because of its excellent part load efficiency and its fuel-flexible combustion system. With this innovative upgrade, we expect that our power station will benefit from improved efficiency and increased output, in line with our goals.”

Gas power is a critical component of the journey towards a lower carbon future. Natural gas-fired power plants are the least emitting among fossil fuel power plants, whether judged on CO2, SOx, NOx, particulate matter, or mercury emissions. GE is currently advancing gas power generation solutions that are flexible, efficient, and reliable, as they play an essential role in complementing renewable energy sources for a more sustainable energy future.

This upgrade, introduced in 2019, represents a significant investment by GE. The technology combines the best from both GE’s F- and H-Class fleets, includes additive manufactured parts, and introduces innovations in aerodynamics, material science, and combustion dynamics. The resulting efficiency, output, and maintenance interval enhancements represent a significant leap forward. Already, six GT26 units upgraded with the HE technology have been put into operation, accumulating more than 47,000 operating hours.

Joseph Anis — GE Gas Power President & CEO of Europe, Middle East & Africa said: “Once installed in 2025, this project will mark our tenth HE upgrade and our customers including InterGen continue to reap the benefits from this advanced upgrade for the GT26 fleet.”