GE gas turbines add 180MW flexibility to Taiwan grid

Six aeroderivative turbines will support supply that will come from nearby offshore wind farms

GE Gas Power has announced that the Tung Hsiao power plant in Miaoli County, Taiwan, has started feeding gas-fired power onto the Taiwanese grid.

The combined-cycle plant, owned by Taiwan Power, was built to replace three decommissioned diesel-fired combined-cycle units at the site.

Tung Hsiao comprises three 892.6MW gas-fired, combined-cycle units commissioned between February 2018 and May 2020 and also houses three more pre-existing diesel-fired combined-cycle units.

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Six GE aeroderivative gas turbines were installed at the plant to add up to 180MW of flexible capacity. This power will support the intermittent supply that will come from nearby offshore wind farms under construction.

The gas turbines can run on high blends of hydrogen to support TP’s decarbonisation goals. GE will support and increase the blending of hydrogen and natural gas until they run on 100% hydrogen.

According to GE Gas Power, the Tung Hsiao power plant renewal project is pioneering with capabilities like an 8-minute fast start from cold metal to full load and the ability to perform daily starts without impacting maintenance cycles.

The project will support the objectives of Taiwan’s Renewable Energy Development Act (REDA) policy, which seeks to increase the gas-fired power ratio to 50% by 2025.