New Dual-Fuel Power Plant in New South Wales

Illawarra, New South Wales, Australia, February 19, 2024 – GE Vernova’s Gas Power division (NYSE: GE) and EnergyAustralia have announced the opening of the Tallawarra B Power Station, marking a significant milestone as Australia’s first dual-fuel power plant capable of running on both natural gas and green hydrogen.

The Tallawarra B Power Station, utilizing GE Vernova’s 9F.05 gas turbine, is designed to operate on a blend of 5% green hydrogen and natural gas by 2025, contingent on the development of a substantial hydrogen production industry. This makes it the world’s first 9F gas turbine to function on a hydrogen-natural gas mix.

The Tallawarra B facility will provide up to 320 MW of dispatchable power, bolstering the reliability of New South Wales’ energy grid. This development follows the closure of the Liddell coal-fired power plant, and Tallawarra B will help fill the gap left by Liddell’s decommissioning, offering essential flexibility during peak demand periods and reducing emissions with the use of green hydrogen.

“This is the first new gas-fired power station in New South Wales in over a decade. Tallawarra B will play a crucial role in the energy transition, providing flexible and reliable power during peak demand and low supply periods. It supports the integration of more renewables as coal plants retire,” said Mark Collette, Managing Director of EnergyAustralia.

“Gas will remain vital for supporting renewables during the energy transition. Tallawarra B and A stations are positioned to be long-term players in New South Wales’ energy future, aligning with our net zero ambitions by 2050. We are investing in upgrades to Tallawarra A to enhance capacity and efficiency, enabling up to 30% hydrogen fuel use when it becomes commercially available.”

The 9F turbine, a dual-fuel unit, can simultaneously burn two types of fuel. Alongside its gas turbine expertise, GE Vernova is proficient in wind turbines, solar solutions, energy storage, grid systems, and power conversion technologies, all critical for advancing the green hydrogen value chain.

“Tallawarra B illustrates the significant role gas technologies play in reducing carbon emissions, ensuring a reliable power supply, and combating climate change,” said Ramesh Singaram, President and CEO of GE Vernova’s Gas Power division in Asia. “We are dedicated to delivering dependable, cost-effective energy solutions that support energy providers like EnergyAustralia in developing a hydrogen supply chain and transitioning towards a lower carbon future.”

Situated next to EnergyAustralia’s existing Tallawarra A 435 MW gas plant in Yallah, near Lake Illawarra, the Tallawarra B Power Station is approximately eight miles southwest of Wollongong.

GE Vernova supplied an A78 generator, an exhaust stack with an innovative Plume Dispersion Device, a generator step-up transformer, a Mark* Vie control system, and gas turbine accessories for this project. These components were modularized to simplify and expedite on-site installation and enhance serviceability.

GE Vernova’s gas turbines can currently operate on hydrogen levels ranging from 5% to 100%. With over 450 9F gas turbines ordered since 1991, accumulating over 24 million operational hours across more than 40 countries, GE Vernova is pioneering dry low NOx (DLN) combustor technology for 100% hydrogen fuel, aiming for solutions by 2030.

With a presence in Australia for over 120 years, GE Vernova operates more than 140 gas turbines in the country, addressing local requirements with fast start-up times, lower ownership costs, and increased flexibility. Future and existing gas power plants can further reduce carbon emissions by utilizing hydrogen as a fuel.

About GE Vernova

GE Vernova is a global energy company encompassing Power, Wind, and Electrification businesses, supported by Advanced Research, Consulting Services, and Financial Services. With over 130 years of experience, GE Vernova is at the forefront of the energy transition, striving to electrify and decarbonize the world. Headquartered in Cambridge, Massachusetts, GE Vernova employs over 80,000 people in more than 100 countries. The company’s Gas Power division develops advanced natural gas technologies and decarbonization solutions to support a lower carbon future.

GE Vernova’s name signifies its legacy of quality (“GE”), commitment to the environment (“Ver”/“verde”), and innovation in low-carbon energy (“Nova” from Latin “novus”). The mission, “The Energy to Change the World,” underscores its goal to provide affordable, reliable, sustainable, and secure energy for the future.

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