- GE Vernova launches Nhon Trach 3&4, Vietnam’s first LNG and HA-powered 1.6 GW plant
- The plant cuts carbon emissions and supports renewable integration
- GE Vernova supplied advanced turbines and systems, powering of Vietnam’s electricity
The power plant of Petrovietnam Power Corporation (PV Power), Nhon Trach 3&4 with a capacity of 1.6 GW and located in Ong Keo Industrial Park, about 70 km southeast of Ho Chi Minh City, has now been announced by GE Vernova Inc. to have begun its commercial operations.
This considerable step for Vietnam’s energy sector is attributed to the collaboration between engineering, taking control of procurement and construction contractors Samsung C&T and Lilama.
Nhon Trach 3&4 is the very first power plant of Vietnam with liquefied natural gas (LNG) as the major source of power and also the very first power plant in the country that has state-of-the-art GE Vernova’s H-class (HA) gas turbine technology installed.
The plant’s operation is in line with Vietnam’s newly approved Power Development Plan VIII, which gives prominence to LNG as the major element of the country's power generation mix. The plan envisions the LNG-based generation capacity exceeding 22 GW by the year 2030, which would then account for about 10–12 percent of the total installed capacity of the country.
The power station will be a major factor in satisfying the Southern Vietnam's electricity demand and at the same time helping the government to achieve its sustainability aims. The building of gas-fired generation will speed up Vietnam's quitting coal power for good.
GE Vernova's carbon-neutral H-class gas turbines come to around 60% less carbon footprint than the coal-fired ones of the same size and moreover they stabilize the grid which allows the renewable energy sources to be integrated even better.
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A Representative from PV power stated, “Vietnam’s energy transition requires solutions that balance capacity, efficiency, and sustainability, which is why we chose GE Vernova’s 9HA.02 gas turbines for Nhon Trach 3&4. Vernova’s advanced 9HA.02 gas turbine is central to our commitment to modern energy standards. It enables the plant to achieve greater than 63 per cent combined cycle efficiency, ranking it among the world’s most efficient facilities. Additionally, the 9HA.02 meets the strictest emission regulations, offers versatile fuel-switching capabilities – operating on LNG now, supporting up to 50 per cent hydrogen co-firing, and paving the way for 100 per cent hydrogen use in the future – ensuring alignment with Vietnam’s net-zero goals for decades”.
GE Vernova delivered two power blocks each with a capacity of more than 800 MW along with the 9HA.02 gas turbines, STF-D650 steam turbines, W88 generators, heat recovery steam generators, and the Mark VIe Distributed Control System, which comprise a total of two power blocks over 800 MW.
“Renewable energy is expected to grow significantly in Vietnam while at the same time, lower-carbon and highly efficient gas power generation will play a crucial role in supporting this growth while ensuring grid stability and reliability. This first of its kind project is expected to bring electricity for large industrial areas in the southern region including Ho Chi Minh City and Dong Nai province while opening up a new chapter for gas power generation in Vietnam. We are proud to execute the first HA project in the country, in alignment with its national energy goals for a more sustainable national economic growth”, added Ramesh Singaram, President & CEO of GE Vernova's Gas Power business in Asia-Pacific.
The company currently takes care of almost 30% of the total electricity demand in Vietnam and has also built a strong local presence through setting up manufacturing and repair facilities along with employing people across the whole country.