Mitsubishi Power to provide two gas turbines for a new power plant in Australia

A map of the proposed Hunter Power Project. Image courtesy of Snowy Hydro Limited.

Mitsubishi Power, a power solutions brand of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. has received an order from Snowy Hydro Limited for two M701F gas turbines and related auxiliaries equipment for the Hunter Power Project in New South Wales.

The total power output of the plant will be 660MW and commercial operations are set to begin in 2023. From the standpoint of reducing CO2 emissions, the plant has a potential for up to 15% hydrogen co-firing.

The power plant is located in Hunter Valley, approximately 120km north of Sydney. The project is intended to secure an alternative cleaner power supply following the scheduled shutdown of a large-scale coal-fired power plant in Australia, as well as providing the necessary dispatchable ‘firmed’ energy, ensuring security and stability to support the volatility that arises from intermittent renewables.

Mitsubishi Power will supply the M701F gas turbines, generators, and related auxiliary equipment from Japan through Mitsubishi Power Australia Pty. Ltd. The two gas turbines will be manufactured in Takasago Machinery Works in Hyogo Prefecture, and the generators will be made by Mitsubishi Electric Corporation.

Mr. Nishiyama, Managing Director and CEO of Mitsubishi Power Australia Pty. Ltd. stated “Our M701F gas turbine is one of the most efficient in F class gas turbines in the world and has a proven operation records worldwide, maintaining a high reliability rate of over 99%. We are very pleased that our M701F gas turbines will be able to contribute to the stable power supply in Australia together with increasing renewable energy. Our gas turbine is capable of operating on natural gas, or on a mixture of natural gas and hydrogen. The gas turbines can utilize up to 30% hydrogen for co-firing with current technology and can be configured in the future to operate on 100 percent hydrogen for zero-carbon emissions.”