Mitsubishi Power starts up sixth gas turbine for Thai power plants
Mitsubishi Power, a power solutions brand of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI), says it has completed installation of the second of four M701JAC units at a natural gas-fired power plant project in Rayong Province, Thailand. Operation commenced on 1 October 2023, and follows the start of operations for the first unit at the end of March.
This latest installation is the sixth consecutive unit from the Rayong and Chonburi sites to be completed in line with the contract schedule. The previous five units for the project have exceeded 50,000 actual operating hours (AOH), demonstrating the reliability of the JAC gas turbines. Going forward, construction will proceed as planned, with all eight units expected to be in operation by fall 2024.
Part of the same project, Mitsubishi Power had completed construction of a sister plant in Chonburi Province in October 2022, a gas turbine combined cycle (GTCC) thermal power generation facility comprising four M701JAC gas turbines with a combined output of 2.65 megawatts (MW). They are currently in stable operation.
Located approximately 130 km southeast of the capital city of Bangkok, the Rayong plant is owned and operated by Gulf PD Company Limited, a joint venture project by Gulf Energy Development PCL, one of the largest independent power producers in Thailand, and Mitsui & Co.
Power generated from both plants will be sold to Thailand’s state power company Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT), contributing to more reliable and efficient energy production in Thailand.
The overall project encompasses two GTCC power generation plants, each with four power trains comprising a gas turbine, steam turbine, heat recovery steam generator, and generator.
The peak construction period for the project was disrupted by the Covid-19 pandemic. Nevertheless, Mitsubishi Power adds it worked to manage the process, while also making improvements based on its experience at the previous completed plant, allowing for delivery of the equipment to the satisfaction of the customer.
