Electrabel's Amercoeur Power Station in Belgium Using GE Technology to Generate Cleaner, More Efficient Electricity
Upgrade of Unit 1 at Amercoeur Increases Output and Efficiency, Lowers Emissions
BELFORT, FRANCE - May 10, 2010 - Electrabel, a Belgium-based energy corporation and a subsidiary of the GDF SUEZ Group, today inaugurated a new power plant at Amercoeur, a site where electricity has been generated for more than a century.
An existing unit at the site has been upgraded with advanced technology supplied by GE (NYSE:GE) to provide higher output and efficiency and reduce impact on the environment.
Located in the Wallonia region of Belgium, near Charleroi, Amercoeur had been last upgraded in 1967 and has been operating with two units using gas and coal. GE supplied a 109FB gas turbine-generator to support the upgrade of Unit 1 at the site into a natural gas-fired combined-cycle power station, increasing the output from 125 to 420 megawatts-enough additional power to supply about 800,000 Belgian households.
The new technology also increases plant thermal efficiency from about 38% to 57%, meaning that more electricity is produced without an increase in fuel.
"Electrabel, GDF SUEZ Group, selected our 9FB technology as the most economical and efficient solution for their needs, while also meeting rigorous environmental standards," said Ricardo Cordoba, president of GE Energy for Western Europe and North Africa. "The project builds on our relationship with Electrabel and with the GDF SUEZ Group, which has been a key GE customer over the years."
The Frame 9FB for Amercoeur entered commercial operation in April of 2009.
GE's Frame 9FB gas turbine is one of the world's most advanced, air-cooled 50-hertz gas turbines. To date, nearly 50 of these machines have been installed or committed for power plant projects worldwide. The 9FB is the largest member (in output) of GE's fleet of F-class gas turbines, which has accumulated more than 32 million hours of commercial operation around the world.
About GE
GE (NYSE: GE) is a diversified infrastructure, finance and media company taking on the world's toughest challenges. From aircraft engines and power generation to financial services, health care solutions and television programming, GE operates in more than 100 countries and employs about 300,000 people worldwide. For more information, visit the company's website at www.ge.com.
GE serves the energy sector by developing and deploying technology that helps make efficient use of natural resources. With nearly 85,000 global employees and 2009 revenues of $37 billion, GE Energy www.ge.com/energy is one of the world's leading suppliers of power generation and energy delivery technologies. The businesses that comprise GE Energy-GE Power & Water, GE Energy Services and GE Oil & Gas-work together to provide integrated product and service solutions in all areas of the energy industry including coal, oil, natural gas and nuclear energy; renewable resources such as water, wind, solar and biogas; and other alternative fuels.
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