180-Megawatt Ubungo facility currently provides up to 25 per cent of the power in Tanzania
GE’s Power Services business and Songas have signed a multiyear service agreement (MYA) to upgrade equipment at Songas’ Ubungo Power Plant in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. The MYA encompasses GE’s Fleet360 platform of total plant solutions, helping Songas ensure the long-term, reliable operation of its power plant. The upgrades will help Songas increase the efficiency and the plant’s capacity at the Ubungo plant by approximately 10 megawatts.
“Songas owns 6 gas turbines, including 4 GE LM6000 gas turbines which it has been operating at Ubungo Power Plant since 2004” said Nigel Whittaker, Managing Director, Songas Ltd.
“Songas and GE have been working together for several years to ensure high performances of these turbines. Songas is very pleased about this new initiative with GE to help increase the efficiency and reliability of the plant throughout the duration of its agreement.”
Under the terms of the deal, GE will upgrade three of the four LM6000 gas turbines in the fleet from the LM6000PA to the LM 6000PC, expected to increase the output of the units from 38 MW to 43 MW each—and reaching output levels of up to 46 MW with GE’s optional SPRINT technology. The eight-year MYA, which also includes maintenance and repairs of the gas turbines, will help Songas to increase the efficiency of the Ubungo plant to around 41 per cent—approximately a 3 per cent improvement.
Aeroderivative gas turbines provide the ability to frequently and rapidly ramp up to meet load and demand fluctuations—a concern for power grids that rely heavily on renewable generation. They also offer the reliability and flexibility needed to bring power to people around the globe that otherwise may not be able to access it.
GE’s LM6000 aeroderivative technology provides great flexibility with up to 41 per cent simple cycle efficiency (56 per cent combined cycle), fast-start (as little as 5 minutes from cold iron), fast ramping, and ability to cost effectively cycle multiple times per day. The LM6000 family has more operating hours than any other aeroderivative gas turbine greater than 40 MW.
