KUALA LUMPUR: GE and Malaysia's second-largest independent power producer, Edra Energy Sdn Bhd, recently announced the start of commercial operations for Edra Energy's power plant in Alor Gajah, Malacca.
Powered by GE technology, the country's largest combined cycle power plant adds more than 2.2 gigawatts (GW) of electricity to the national grid, which is equal to the approximate amount needed to power up to 10 per cent of the country's current demand.
In addition, GE provided Edra Energy with a holistic solution, including the core power plant equipment and a service agreement to manage the project lifecycle to manage all aspects of the project's lifecycle.
GE Gas Power Asia president and chief executive officer Ramesh Singaram said the company supports Edra Energy in providing the equivalent electricity needed to supply several million Malaysian households.
"Our technology is proven globally, and it has achieved record levels of efficiency to meet the growing demand for electricity and the ambitious power generation and sustainability goals of the government," he said in a recent statement.
Ramesh said GE's H-Class technology, coupled with digital solutions and service expertise, will make Edra Energy's new power plant one of the most efficient and sustainable in the region.
"In addition, the project had immense spill-over effects on the local economy, through the generation of approximately 2,500 job opportunities, particularly for the local community," he said.
The new plant consists of three generating blocks capable of generating over 745 MW per block, each including a GE 9HA.02 gas turbine, an STF-D650 steam turbine, a W88 generator and a heat recovery steam generator (HRSG).
GE's integrated Mark VIe control system will provide gas turbine generator control and performance visibility, and GE Digital's asset performance management (APM) suite of digital solutions will help make the Malacca power plant's operations safer, more predictable, and reliable while helping to ensure better performance at a lower sustainable cost.
In addition, as part of the multiyear services agreement, the power generation equipment at Alor Gajah is part of the fleet monitored by GE's Monitoring & Diagnostics (M&D) Centre in Kuala Lumpur.
This project strengthens the long-standing relationship between GE and Edra Energy, built over the past five years.
GE has maintained and serviced the company's gas turbines installed at Telok Gong 1, Tanjong Kling and Kuala Langat power plants.
These facilities have a combined output capacity of 1.4 GW and are powered by GE's E-class technology.
As part of the company's commitment to supporting Malaysia's growing energy needs, GE announced the start of commercial operation for Southern Power Generation's Track 4A Power Plant, a 1,440-megawatt combined-cycle gas power plant last year in Pasir Gudang, Johor.