Siemens Energy’s HL-class Technology to Reduce CO2 Emissions in Greece
Siemens Energy is supplying its state-of-the-art, highly efficient HL-class gas turbine technology to Greece for the first time. As part of a new combined cycle power plant in Komotini in the northeast of the country, it will provide reliable and economical power generation. With an installed electrical capacity of 877 megawatts (MW), it will be the world’s most powerful combined cycle power plant in 1×1 configuration. The construction of the new plant is of strategic importance for Greece. It will cover the country’s increased demand for electricity, which will result from the gradual withdrawal of lignite production units. The switch to a modern gas-fired power plant with high efficiencies will reduce CO2 emissions by up to 3.7 million tons per year compared to a coal power plant. It will also reduce the environmental impact and increase the security of supply. Customer Terna S.A. is building the entire plant for the project company Thermoilektriki Komotinis M.A.E. The company is owned in equal parts by Motor Oil Renewable Energy (MORE) and GEK Terna. Commissioning of the plant is scheduled for mid-2024.
“We trusted Siemens Energy because it’s a leading manufacturer of units with natural gas fuel, it met our requirements, and it convinced us that it will be by our side with its experience until the completion of the project. The cooperation of the two companies to interconnect Crete with the mainland is continuing in the area of electricity production,” said Ioannis Stefanatos, Director of Energy Projects at Terna S.A.
“We thank Terna for trusting Siemens Energy as its partner of choice for the prestigious combined cycle power plant in Komotini. We’re excited that our technology and expertise will play a critical role in Greece’s strategic journey of shifting from coal/lignite power plants to gas-fired power generation. Our proven HL gas turbines will provide a reliable supply of electricity at efficiency levels above 64 percent, resulting in a significant reduction of CO2 emissions – a target Greece is determined to achieve. We’re very much looking forward to further expanding our collaboration with Terna in Greece and other countries,” Karim Amin, Executive Vice President Generation at Siemens Energy, added.
The new power plant will be fired with natural gas and is designed as a multi-shaft plant, with one gas turbine and one steam turbine each driving their own generator. The Siemens Energy scope of supply includes a power island consisting of an SGT5-9000HL gas turbine, an SST5-5000 steam turbine, an SGen5-3000W generator for the gas turbine, an SGen5-1200A generator for the steam turbine, the heat-recovery steam generator, and the SPPA-T3000 control system.
