GE has shipped 12 LM6000-PC Sprint aeroderivative gas turbine-generators to the Dorad Energy power plant in Ashkelon, Israel, to fulfill part of its $200 million contract with Wood Group GTS. The plant will play a critical role in enhancing the reliability of Israel’s electric system, according to GE, and will be the largest, and one of the first, independent power plants built in Israel since the country deregulated its electricity markets several years ago.
GE’s agreement is with Wood Group GTS, which is the engineering, procurement and construction contractor for Dorad Energy. Wood Group is also supplying steam turbogenerators and related equipment.
GE expects the 50 MW units to begin commercial operation in the second half of 2013. GE’s Veresegyház plant, located near Budapest, Hungary, is manufacturing the turbogenerators. The Veresegyház plant began operating in 2000 and serves as the foundation of GE’s turbine component production in the Central European region.
“Israel’s goals in deregulating the power industry were to increase electricity supplies, decrease prices and spur technological innovation, and we are proud to be one of the first tangible results of that plan,” said Eli Asulin, general manager, Dorad Energy.
Israel’s electric system has minimal reserve margin, and when power demand is extremely high, the potential exists for supply disruptions. GE’s LM6000-PC Sprints will be configured so that blocks of them can be turned on and off quickly, with no losses in energy efficiency. This provides both operational flexibility and the capability to maintain net plant efficiency in all modes of operation. The plant is a combined-cycle design, using GT exhaust to power two steam turbogenerators.
“The power produced by these units will help to stabilise the power system upon which Israel’s economy depends, and their efficiency and suitability for baseload, cycling or peaking operation will enable Dorad Energy to maximise revenue opportunities” said Darryl Wilson, vice president—aeroderivative gas turbines for GE Power & Water.
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