GE Vernova to convert Moroccan thermal power plant to hydrogen

GE Vernova’s Gas Power business, Morocco's National Office of Electricity and Drinking Water (ONEE) and Nareva announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), to collaborate on a feasibility study to develop joint solutions to decarbonise ONEE’s Laâyoune Power Plant. 

The power plant is powered by three GE Vernova 6B heavy-duty gas turbines. The facility is expected to be the first in Africa to use green hydrogen to power GE Vernova’s 6B gas turbines.

Under the agreement, ONEE, Nareva and GE Vernova will undertake techno-economic evaluation studies to convert the 99MW Laâyoune Thermal Power Plant, currently fuelled by heavy oil fuel to hydrogen. As a first step, the collaboration will focus on the gas turbine to be converted to 100% hydrogen.

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The study is expected to be completed in two years and consists of exploring an integrated solution that incorporates the full production value chain to deliver 100% hydrogen by volume to the gas turbine for peak demand periods.

Assessment results can pave the path ahead for the full-scale integration of the gas turbines with green hydrogen, aiming to achieve 100% decarbonisation of the Laâyoune Power Plant.

Laâyoune’s province is experiencing rapid development of projects focused on renewable energy, and there is growing interest in hydrogen as a viable alternative to fossil fuels.

Morocco aims to expand renewable electricity capacity from its current share of 40% to 52% by 2030.

Abderrahim El Hafidi the CEO of ONEE said, "This first pilot project will help reduce carbon emissions of the plant and it will enable Morocco to move forward on the decarbonation of its power sector. This agreement serves as an important milestone in paving the way to accelerate the integration of hydrogen in the national energy mix, help the country become less reliant on conventional power, and reduce carbon emissions associated with power generation activities.”

Nareva is a Moroccan company that works in the development and operation of independent power generation projects, M. Ayamne Taud the CEO commented, "We are thrilled to explore the complementary opportunities between renewable energy, hydrogen production, and efficient gas-fired combustion technologies to provide our country with efficient, flexible power plants that also produce less CO₂."

Joseph Anis, president & CEO for GE Vernova's Gas Power business in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa commented, "GE Vernova is pleased to collaborate with ONEE and Nareva to develop this first-of-its- kind project and support climate change commitments in Morocco. With nearly 30 GE Vernova 6B gas turbines having operated on hydrogen over the last two decades, this fleet is an excellent fit for the project."

Anis added, "We look forward to joining forces to provide a reliable and less carbon-intense source of reserve power that will also be a major contributor to mitigating the variability of the grid. Rapid renewable energy growth presents system operators and energy providers with the increasingly difficult task of continuously ensuring grid stability. Highly flexible gas turbines can complement variable renewable energy and help stabilize the grid with reliable power supply."