GE Power (www.gepower.com) recently announced that commercial operation has been achieved by Chubu Electric Power Co Inc’s Nishi-Nagoya power plant (Block-1) in Japan.

Featuring GE’s 7HA gas turbine technology and Toshiba’s steam turbine technology, Nishi-Nagoya Block-1 will provide more than 1,188MW of power to the grid with a world-leading thermal efficiency of more than 62%. The plant will supply enough electricity to power about 400,000 average Japanese homes.

This ‘milestone’ follows several years of close collaboration between Chubu, Toshiba and GE to support highly-efficient thermal power generation in Japan.

Chubu was initially looking to support the government’s initiative for cleaner more-efficient power generation by replacing its 40-year-old Nishi-Nagoya facility; it selected a more-efficient and more-flexible large-block gas turbine that could support multi-shaft combined-cycle operation, provide low NOx emissions — and run on LNG fuel.

GE’s HA technology was chosen as the best proven technology for the project.

GE is delivering a total of six 7HA.01 gas turbines for the Nishi-Nagoya power plant.

Bill Horie, country executive for GE Power in Japan, said: “GE’s HA technology underscores our company’s commitment to powering the world with more-efficient energy solutions, and we are proud to achieve this milestone with Chubu and Toshiba.

“The 7HA is a prime example of the important role GE can play in Asia’s energy future, and the HA’s proven operational experience in the field will provide more-reliable, efficient and flexible power for years to come.”

The 7HA’s fuel flexibility accommodates a wide range of gas and liquid fuels, including high-ethane (shale) gas and LNG.

Furthermore, the 7HA ramps up to full load in less than 30min, allowing for greater grid stability with renewable and alternative energy sources.