Bis Energy upgrades its Bursa combined-cycle plant with GE technology

Turkey’s independent power producer Bis Enerji Electrik Uretim AS has enlisted the help of GE (NYSE: GE) to expand one of the country’s largest merchant power plants. The US-based company will supply Bis Enerji’s combined-cycle plant in Bursa, a heavily-industrialised city in northwest Turkey, with a 48MW LM6000-PC Sprint aeroderivative gas turbine and related services.

The LM6000-PC Sprint unit and an associated steam turbine–generator will increase the cogeneration plant’s installed capacity from 410 MW to 495 MW, or enough to power approximately 200,000 more Turkish households, when it enters commercial operation in August 2012. The plant currently has six GE aeroderivative gas turbines, one GE 6B heavy-duty gas turbine and two GE steam turbines, with all gas turbines fueled by natural gas.

“Our company exists to sell power into the grid in order to meet the needs of the Turkish people, meaning that at all times we must be able to produce the power required at that moment, and we must do so in an economically advantageous manner in compliance with all environmental regulations,” said Fırat Alparslan, general manager for Bis Enerji. “We see GE as our long-term solution partner, rather than as just an equipment supplier. We have been working together since 1992 and will look forward to collaborating with GE for many years to come as we continually grow our company.”

“Bis Enerji’s confidence in GE’s technology is evident with the purchase of this additional gas turbine. This project demonstrates GE’s ability to help customers meet critical power needs with flexible technologies,” said Darryl Wilson, president and CEO—aeroderivative gas turbines for GE Power & Water. “Large output, energy efficiency, fuel flexibility, low environmental impact and low operational and maintenance costs—all over the world, this combination of requirements is becoming increasingly important to customers, and GE’s aeroderivative technology is a perfect solution.”