France-based multinational power generation, power transmission and rail infrastructure company Alstom has signed a 12-year contract with the state-owned Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT) to provide turn-key maintenance for two gas turbines at the North Bangkok combined-cycle power plant (CCPP).

The long-term service agreement contains performance guarantees for the duration of the contract; it also requires Alstom to provide technical training for EGAT’s maintenance staff.

Currently under construction by Alstom in consortium with Sumitomo, the North Bangkok CCPP will be the first in the world to use the company’s upgraded GT26 gas turbines. Furthermore, the plant will add an additional 850MW to the 15GW that EGAT currently generates from almost 40 power-generating plants located across Thailand.

The 80 million euro maintenance contract is in addition to a 225 million euro engineering, procurement and construction contract awarded to Alstom in 2013 to supply turbo-generators, heat recovery steam generators, steam turbines and distribution control systems to the project. According to the company, the GT26 gas turbine offers greater operational flexibility, reliability and availability, resulting in improved efficiency with lower emissions.