GE Sprint gas turbines to power 97 MW plant in the Philippines

GE recently announced that its LM6000-PC Sprint gas turbines (jet engine-based aeroderivative gas turbines) have been chosen to power First Generation Corporation's (First Gen) Avion power plant in the Philippines. The 97MW plant is expected to pave the way for increasing utilization of cleaner and more efficient energy technology than more traditional fossil fuels in the local power generation industry.

(GE's LM6000-PC Sprint gas turbine)

Under First Gen unit Prime Meridian Powergen Corporation, the Avion power plant will utilize Malampaya gas and diesel fuel and is seen to potentially utilize resources from the power producer's planned liquefied natural gas terminal in Batangas. The turbines provide fast, flexible and efficient power to address the needs of the local power grid, especially in a wholesale spot electricity segment.

The LM6000-PC Sprint are said to accommodate a variety of operating needs, including fast starts and peak loads, while leading the industry in high availability and reliability. With an expected 10-month project completion goal, Avion is expected to be the fastest built power project in the Philippines and ready to handle future power crises in 2015 onwards.

Modular package design

The modular package design of the LM6000-PC Sprint allows for faster installation and lower costs compared to other configurations, and the increasing use of natural gas in the region makes GE's technology an ideal fit in ASEAN countries.

Aeroderivative gas turbine technology – part of GE's distributed power portfolio –is an innovation derived from GE's CF6 aviation engine, which powers many wide-body aircraft worldwide. GE's aeroderivative gas turbines have the capability to burn both liquid fuel and natural gas.

The same reliability, efficiency, low-emission levels and fast-start capabilities from the CF6 are carried over into the LM6000-PC Sprint, providing a remarkably simple yet effective solution to address power needs quickly and flexibly, said Dennis Villasper, GE's manager for power generation for Philippines and Guam. 

Villasper added, "As the Philippines has matured and the base load needs were addressed, there is now a focus to cater to the peak loads of the system, and our aero gas turbines are designed for such use."

GE Philippines Chief Executive Officer Jocot de Dios said First Gen’s choice of GE LM6000 gas turbine for the Avion project “will provide the perfect fit to the country's pressing power needs.”