First fire for 9HA in Pakistan

Along with Chinese EPC partner Harbin Electric International Company, GE said it completed the first test in 66 days from delivery on-site. Grid synchronization of the gas turbine was achieved in 74 days. Two 9HA.01 gas turbines and one steam turbine were supplied to the 1.2 GW LNG-fuelled combined-cycle Balloki power plant in Punjab, currently under development by Pakistan’s government through the National Power Parks Management Company Limited (NPPMCL).

The plant is scheduled for commissioning later this year. It will feature a primary re-gasified LNG fuel system, a secondary diesel fuel system, water cooled condensers and a cooling tower. The first turbine is now producing up to 380 MW, GE said.

In a statement, the firm emphasized the “strong collaboration” with NPPMCL and Harbin Electric in driving the project. The previous record was set at Pakistan’s 1230 MW Haveli Bahadur Shah plant, where the duration from gas turbine delivery to first fire test was 74 days according to GE.

Pakistan is the first country in the MENA-Turkey-South Asia region to install 9HA turbines.

Pakistan is actively working on boosting its energy security. Earlier this month, the nation signed an agreement with France’s Agency for Development (AFD) for $192m in loans to bolster its energy sector against growing demand.

Planned work includes modernizing the 1 GW Mangla hydropower plant and improving transmission efficiency.