GE Vernova’s Gas Power business has announced a significant project with the Electricity Supply Board of Ireland (ESB) to supply and operate a new simple cycle power plant at Shannonbridge, County Offaly.
The facility will be equipped with eight GE LM2500XPRESS aeroderivative gas turbines, designed to deliver an additional 264 megawatts (MW) of fast and flexible reserve power to support the security and reliability of electricity supply in Ireland. This project comes on the heels of GE's recently announced 200 MW North Wall Power Plant in the Dublin area, utilizing six LM2500XPRESS turbines, which will also serve as a reserve power plant for Ireland.
The Shannonbridge Power Plant is set to commence operations during the 2023-2024 winter season, and it will continue to provide reserve power until the end of the 2026-2027 winter season. It will operate exclusively to support the Irish grid when needed and will not be available in the open electricity marketplace. Benefitting from a 3-year Operations and Maintenance (O&M) service agreement with GE, the plant will receive operation, repairs, and scheduled maintenance services, ensuring reliable performance over its operating term.
At the heart of the LM2500XPRESS units lies GE's proven LM2500 aeroderivative gas turbine technology, known for its efficiency and reliability. The LM2500XPRESS units are designed for swift and straightforward site installation, with 95% factory assembly into simplified modules. GE Gas Power's Manufacturing Excellence Center in Veresegyhaz, Hungary, will produce the compact LM2500XPRESS units for the Shannonbridge Power Plant, reinforcing GE's commitment to supporting Ireland's electricity supply security.
Source: GE Vernova