GE Vernova’s Aeroderivative Turbines Expand Capacity at Missouri Generating Station
Springfield City Utilities will require increased power generation capacity by 2026 due to higher electricity demand, aging power assets, and extreme weather events.
Springfield City Utilities (CU) ordered three GE Vernova LM6000VELOX aeroderivative gas turbine units for the 100-MW McCartney Generating Station in Springfield, MO. The turbines will add 150 MW of reliable, flexible, and efficient electric generation capacity, reinforcing grid stability. GE Vernova’s aeroderivative units will burn natural gas with fuel oil/diesel as an emergency backup source. CU’s plant is expected to come online in 2027.
“This investment is another step in ensuring Springfield’s energy reliability for the future,” said Warren Brooks, VP of Electric Operations at City Utilities. “We trust GE Vernova’s units will help us quickly meet demand during peak energy usage. This project is aligned to our broader strategy to address future power supply needs through affordable and reliable solutions.”
CU will require additional Planning Reserve Margin (PRM) in the coming years, primarily due to increasing electricity demand, aging power assets, and extreme weather events—PRM is the extra power capacity needed beyond expected demand, managing peak-usage reliability and unscheduled downtime. By 2026, CU will need 36% PRM during the winter months, up from 15%, to support Springfield’s electric load during intermittent or turbulent power events.
McCartney Generating Station; image credit: City Utilities
“With increasing power generation demand driven by growing electrification needs and more renewables coming online every day, operators and municipalities, like City Utilities, need to ensure grid reliability with high efficiency, while delivering cheaper and faster power for their end users” said Dave Ross, CEO of GE Vernova’s Gas Power Americas. “We are excited to work with City Utilities to contribute to the expansion of their McCartney Power Generation Station with our efficient, reliable, fast, and flexible technology.”
LM6000VELOX
The LM6000VELOX aeroderivative packages offer the following:
- Quick start time
- Ramp-up to full power in 5 minutes
- High cyclic life to balance intermittent renewable power
- Operational flexibility
- Reduced installation and commissioning by up to 40% (4,000 labor hours)
Also, in singular annular combustor configuration, the LM6000 gas turbines can combust up to 100% hydrogen by volume and thus reduce CO2 pollution.
More GE Vernova News
This week, GE Vernova and the Saudi Electricity Co. (SEC) completed gas turbine outage and maintenance operations at the Riyadh 8 power plant, a several-block facility with one block using four 7F gas turbines to generate approximately 500 MW. The outage was led by GE Vernova’s Gas Power One Field Services team and, in partnership with SEC, supported the reliability and efficiency of the plant’s power generation assets.
Saudi engineers and specialists conducted detailed planning and execution, established strict safety protocols, and delivered the project on schedule with GE Vernova’s Live Outage digital tool, which improves field execution through standardized procedures, tasks, and best practices. The Live Outage service team optimized power plant performance and reliability by executing expert maintenance, repairs, and upgrades.
Also in March, Worldwide Holding Berhad’s 1,200-MW Pulau Indah power plant began commercial operation outside of Kuala Lumpur, powered by two 600-MW blocks of GE Vernova’s HA combined-cycle equipment:
- Two 9HA.01 gas turbines
- Two STF-D650 steam turbines
- Two W88 generators
- Two once-through heat recovery steam generators
