Following the acquisition of the GT26 and GT36 gas turbine assets of the former Alstom in February 2016 (an arrangement that allowed the GE purchase of remaining Alstom energy businesses to go ahead), Ansaldo Energia says it has invested over €65 million “to create the conditions to bring the production of machines based on former Alstom technology to Italy”, involving adaptation of the existing factory installations and the construction of the new Cornigliano facility, which was officially opened in June 2017.

Nicknamed “Mont Blanc”, the GT36 is rated at 538 MW (ISO conditions), 50 Hz (‘S5’version), simple cycle, and 760 MW in combined cycle with an efficiency of 62.6%.

In partnership with Ansaldo Energia’s Chinese partner and 40% shareholder, Shanghai Electric, the first two GT36 gas turbines are to be installed in two power plants in the Shanghai area.