Mitsubishi Power Delivers M501 JAC Turbines for UTE Portocem Plant

A consortium established by Mitsubishi Power Americas and CONSAG Engenharia entered an agreement with Portocem Geração de Energia and New Fortress Energy (NFE) for engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) work at UTE Portocem in Brazil. Mitsubishi Power’s portion of the EPC agreement is to deliver four M501 JAC enhanced air-cooled gas turbines for simple-cycle operation at the gas thermal power plant.

In addition to implementing the transmission line and substation, CONSAG will provide the balance of plant, utilities, civil works, assembly, and commissioning of UTE Portocem. In March 2024, this project and its 15-year capacity reserve contract received full regulatory approval. Commercial operation is slated for 2026, as the construction of the thermal power plant is underway.

“The UTE Portocem project is yet another example of how the Brazilian power generation sector is recognizing the need for advanced, cleaner power generation technology to meet the needs of a changing market,” said Tim Shore, Senior Vice President of LATAM Commercial and Regional Leader for Mitsubishi Power Americas. “At Mitsubishi Power, we have the technology to support this transition and we thank Portocem Geração de Energia S.A for choosing us for this important project.”

Signing of the EPC contract; Image Credits: Mitsubishi Power

The participation from Mitsubishi Power and CONSAG will aid in providing 1.6 GW of firm, dispatchable power at Brazil’s soon-to-be largest peaking power plant. UTE Portocem will deliver reliable energy to the Brazilian national grid, adding new capacity to supplement the country’s current reliance on hydropower in times of drought.

In April, Mitsubishi Power completed the construction and began operations for an M701 JAC gas turbine at Unit 3 of a gas turbine combined-cycle (GTCC) power plant in Thailand’s Rayong province. The power plant is a joint venture between Gulf Energy Development PCL and Mitsui & Co., with Gulf PD Co. serving as the plant operator located approximately 130 km southeast of Bangkok. The project consists of two GTCC power plants, each equipped with four gas turbine units, generators, steam turbines, and heat recovery steam generators.

"Having been part of Thailand's energy story for more than five decades, we are honored that our robust GTCC solutions have helped to enhance the reliability and efficiency of Thailand's energy infrastructure and supported the country's progress towards a more sustainable energy future,” said Akira Takahashi, President and Managing Director of Mitsubishi Power (Thailand) Ltd. “In cooperation with Gulf and valued partners, we aim to complete this project, and will continue to do our best to support long-term maintenance and services."

The company has now successfully delivered seven of eight M701 JAC units across the two large-scale 2,650 MW GTCC power plants in Rayong and Chonburi, comprising a collective output of 5,300 MW. Rayong and Chonburi are expected to be fully operational by fall 2024, with all eight gas turbine units supporting the electricity needs of industrial and economic hubs in eastern Thailand. Six currently installed units across the Gulf Sriracha power plant (Chonburi) and the Rayong plant have demonstrated smooth operation, with a total accumulation exceeding 75,000 actual operating hours.