The main feature of the 300 million euros contract, which is expected to make the Marghera Levante plant the most efficient in Europe, will be the construction of a class H GT36 gas turbine power island in combined cycle mode. The installation should increase the energy performance of the plant to 63%, and reduce its atmospheric emissions.
The agreement is part of Edison’s plan to support the country’s energy transition with investments of 2 billion euros in Italy over the three-year period 2019-2021.
With the new turbine the plant’s output will rise to 780 MWe. It’s 63% efficiency translates into a 40% reduction of specific carbon emissions compared to the average of current Italian thermoelectric parks and a reduction in emissions of nitrogen oxides (NOX) by more than 70%.
“We want to have a leadership role in Italy’s energy transition: today we are taking an import step in that direction and we are especially proud that this is taking place thanks to the agreement between two companies of Italian industrial excellence, both committed to promoting the country’s development, innovation and sustainability”, said Marc Benayoun, Edison’s chief executive Officer. “We are making a substantial commitment that reflects the priorities of the Energy and Climate Plan with a national investment plan of 2 billion euros over the three-year period 2019-2021.”
The refurbishment works on the power plant will take three years and employ around 600 people. In addition to the GT36 turbine, the new natural gas combined cycle will consist of a heat recovery steam generator, a 250 MWe steam turbine and an SCR system for nitrogen oxide reduction. This power island will replace the two electricity generation units currently in operation: the first unit will be dismantled, while the second will act as an available reserve, in the event the new combined cycle is halted for maintenance.