Taiwan's coal-to-gas transition advances as Hsinta power plant starts operating

GE Vernova has announced that the first of three blocks of Taiwan Power Company Nan Bu Construction Organization’s Hsinta power plant is officially operating and dispatching 1.3GW to the grid.

The new generating unit is powered by combined cycle equipment designed to facilitate the replacement of coal with gas at the Hsinta site, reducing emissions by up to 60%.

GE Vernova worked with CTCI Corporation to engineer, build, and commission the first combined cycle block.

Hsinta power plant includes two further blocks, which are expected to start operation in phases by the end of 2026, providing a total of 4GW capacity.

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According to GE Vernova, each block features two h7HA.03 gas turbines with H65 hydrogen cooled generators, two Heat Recovery Steam Generators (HRSG), one GE Vernova STF-D650 steam turbine with H65 hydrogen cooled generator, and other equipment.

Ramesh Singaram, president and CEO, Asia of GE Vernova's Gas Power, commented: “Our latest gas turbine technology, the 7HA.03, is replacing aged coal-fired units with more efficient and flexible gas-fired combined cycle units, marking a significant step in Taiwan’s carbon emission reduction process. We are committed to support Taiwan’s power development and economic growth, helping to drastically reduce current coal power generation and to achieve up to 50% of the energy mix sourced from natural gas by 2025...”

GE Vernova’s block-size plant features a modular standard configuration, which speeds up installation. Also, the plant is flexible allowing for quick start and easy adjustment of energy volume produced. This flexibility will assist in providing grid stabilisation as the region increases the use of intermittent renewables.

Taiwan Power Company Nan Bu Construction Organization director Huang stated: “Our Hsinta Power Plant in Kaohsiung is a key facility in Taiwan's energy transition, and in line with Taiwan’s Renewable Energy Development Act (REDA) energy policy centered around transitioning from nuclear power and reducing reliance on coal fuels."

Huang added that the commissioning of the first block will aid the company in achieving the goal of delivering less carbon-emitting power to their customers.

GE Vernova has been active in Taiwan since 1961 and predicts that by 2026 gas power plants powered by its assets will exceed 10GW.