GE Receives Order for Combined Cycle Gas Equipment from ENEVA

Expansion of Eneva’s Azulão power plant will aim to deliver additional nearly 600 MW of much-needed power to support Brazil’s renewable-rich grid and further renewable growth in Brazil. This project marks the second GE 7HA.02 gas turbine order in less than six months for Eneva’s Azulão complex—which is the second H-Class combined cycle plant in Brazil.

GE has secured a second order for its H-Class gas turbine technology from Eneva, a Brazilian private natural gas operator. The order is part of Eneva's expansion strategy for the Azulão II Reserve Power Plant, leveraging GE’s advanced HA combined-cycle technology to support Brazil's ongoing energy transition. Notably, over 75% of Brazil's installed capacity is sourced from renewables. The new power plant, featuring a 7HA.02 gas turbine, an STF-A650 steam turbine, H65 and H53 generators, and a triple pressure reheat heat recovery steam generator (HRSG), is projected to provide up to 590 MW of power to ensure a reliable electricity grid and facilitate further renewable energy growth. Commercial operation is expected in 2027.

Caption: Render of the GE 7HA gas turbine. Credit: GE Gas Power.

Renewable energy capacity in Brazil is forecasted to increase by 17% from the current 159 GW to 186 GW by 2032. As Brazil is committed to reducing carbon emissions by half by 2030 and achieving net-zero emissions by 2050, the requirement for gas turbine technology to provide grid stability is anticipated to persist. Gas turbines, besides ensuring reliable supply, offer potential for further emissions reduction through future use of hydrogen fuels and carbon-capture technologies.

GE was chosen by Eneva based on their longstanding relationship and the successful operation of several GE 7F gas turbines in Eneva’s Maranhão plants for nearly a decade. The first order for a GE 7HA.02 gas turbine for the Azulão reserve power plant was announced in October 2022, with construction commencing later that year and commercial operation set to start by 2026. Both plants are strategically placed to support renewable energy growth in Brazil towards the end of the 2020s.

"GE’s advanced H-class combined cycle plant can provide the flexible power needed to support Eneva’s isolated natural gas production operations and Brazil’s renewable-rich grid, utilizing these valuable natural resources to provide lower-emissions electricity to Brazilian homes and businesses,” said Dave Ross, President & CEO for GE Gas Power in the Americas. He emphasized that the new plant would significantly reduce the carbon footprint of Eneva’s power generation portfolio as this new capacity becomes operational and coal power plants are phased out by 2040.

The addition of a HRSG and steam turbine/generator to the Eneva Azulão II plant will augment the plant's energy efficiency by harnessing thermal energy that would otherwise be released into the atmosphere. This captured thermal energy will power the steam turbine and generate an additional 230 MW.

This order makes Azulão II GE’s second H-Class combined cycle plant in Brazil. The first, Port de Sergipe thermal plant, reached commercial operation in 2021 and was acquired by Eneva in 2022, with a capacity of up to 1.5 GW. GE contributes to around 30% of the country's energy production and about one-third of all energy generated across Latin America.