GE Vernova's Turbine Selected for Coal-to-Gas Conversion Project in South Korea

GE Vernova’s Gas Power division (NYSE: GEV) announced today that it has secured an order from Korea Western Power Co., Ltd (KOWEPO), a subsidiary of Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO), to supply a GE Vernova 7HA.02 gas turbine and an H65 generator for KOWEPO’s power station in Gongju-si, Chungcheongnam-do Republic of Korea. In this project, GE Vernova collaborates with an international consortium, including the Korean engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) company Daewoo E&C. The aging coal-fired plant of KOWEPO is anticipated to be replaced with natural gas power generation in Gongju-si, expected to yield an output of 500 Megawatts. Additionally, this transition allows for future fuel mix combustion of up to 30 percent by volume of hydrogen, contingent upon the development of a hydrogen manufacturing industry of an appropriate size and scale.

“This power plant will introduce new capacity, expected to enhance power supply security in South Korea while facilitating the ongoing phase-out of coal power generation. Moreover, it will facilitate a more reliable deployment of renewable energy resources in our country, as we'll be better equipped to dispatch power swiftly in response to grid fluctuations,” stated a representative from KOWEPO. “The new power plant is equipped to operate with hydrogen comprising up to 30% of its volume, in accordance with the national goal of scaling up renewables and green hydrogen deployment to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050.” 

The new power plant is scheduled to commence operations in 2027. Transitioning from a coal plant to its gas counterpart can alone reduce carbon emissions by up to 60 percent and lower emissions levels for other pollutants such as mercury, NOx, SOx, and particulate matter, especially when employing one of GE Vernova’s most advanced HA gas turbines.

“In a country facing growing power demand due to planned retirements of coal-fired power plants, we take pride in contributing to a lower-carbon future in Korea,” remarked Ramesh Singaram, President and CEO of GE Vernova’s Gas Power in Asia. “We are dedicated to equipping KOWEPO with our cutting-edge gas turbine technology to expedite coal phase-out and support an increase in the share of renewables as we endeavor towards lower-carbon gas-based power generation with hydrogen. Once operational, the Gongju-si power plant is expected to rank among the most efficient and flexible power plants in the country.”

GE Vernova holds a significant position in power generation in South Korea. Its gas turbines (both simple and combined cycle) in the country have the capacity to generate over 14 Gigawatts of electricity, with an installed base exceeding 78 units. The company has been actively involved in South Korea since 1976, collaborating closely with local entities to foster the nation’s development in the energy sector. In 2015, GE Vernova made a substantial manufacturing plant investment in Changwon, South Korea, through the acquisition of Doosan’s HRSG business.