Staff Correspondent
GE Power has been selected by Unique Group to develop the 600 megawatt (MW) natural gas-based combined cycle power plant at Meghnaghat, according to a GE press release.
According to the release, Unique Meghnaghat Power Limited (UMPL) will be executing the project. The power plant will produce power equivalent to the electricity needed to supply about 700,000 homes in the region.
The order value is approximately $350 million and as per the contract, GE will be developing the project on a turnkey basis which includes one 9HA.01 gas turbine, one heat recovery steam generator (HRSG), one steam turbine generator, condenser and associated systems. The power plant is expected to start the commercial operations by 2021.
“The Meghnaghat power project marks Unique Group’s foray into the power sector of Bangladesh. We are excited to partner with GE, whose technological expertise and global experience in managing large scale power projects helped our teams to understand the stringent project proposal parameters and configuration selection. The power plant will be built close to the growth centers in Bangladesh, supplying reliable power to the grid and contributing towards the development of infrastructure in Bangladesh.” said, Mohd. Noor Ali, Managing Director, Unique Group.
GE’s 9HA.01 gas turbine is the world’s most efficient and largest heavy-duty gas turbine. Globally, GE’s HA gas turbines are pushing the boundaries when it comes to the most efficient conversion of fuel into electricity. These gas turbines are recognized for powering the world’s most efficient power plants in both the 50hz and 60hz energy segments - achieving 62.22% combined cycle net efficiency and 63.08% combined cycle gross efficiency respectively.
GE’s HA gas turbines, owing to their innovative modular design, additive manufacturing and combustion technology breakthroughs, are enabling the power plant owners to experience reduced plant capital cost, space requirement and schedule needs during installation. In addition, Bangladesh is also making significant investments to enhance its LNG-based electricity generation and projects like the Meghnaghat power plant mark a significant milestone for GE to position its HA technology for high capacity gas-based power plants in Bangladesh.
“GE is a long-standing partner of Bangladesh, contributing towards the growth of its power sector. The country is strategically transforming its energy mix and adopting new technologies to meet the on-ground challenges such as increasing power demand. We are confident that GE’s HA gas turbines will be a significant value add to the power ecosystem in Bangladesh, enabling people to have easy access to affordable, flexible, and cleaner electricity.” said, Deepesh Nanda, CEO, Gas Power Systems, GE South Asia.
Today, GE Power’s HA gas turbine technology has achieved more than 185,000 operating hours across 30 units in operation, with orders of the technology from more than 30 customers in 15 countries globally.
The above contract has been entered into between GE’s subsidiary company and Unique Hotel and Resorts Limited (UHRL).
