On July, 2023, GE Vernova, and the Electricity Supply Board (ESB) established a strategic partnership by signing an Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) contract to develop a new power plant in Ireland. This three-year service agreement includes the deployment of eight LM2500Xpress Aero Gas Turbine units and balance-of-plant (BOP) equipment. Known as a COMBO contract, it encompasses a Contracted Services Agreement (CSA) for the planned maintenance of the Aero Gas Turbines and an Operations & Maintenance (O&M) contract for the plant’s daily operations.
To meet the requirements of the Irish grid operator, EirGrid, these eight power units will function as an emergency power facility, capable of delivering up to 256 MW of electricity to enhance the security and reliability of Ireland’s electricity supply. The CSA ensures comprehensive maintenance and repair services for each unit from the plant’s commercial operation date. Additionally, the O&M contract provides a team of 27 skilled personnel responsible for overseeing daily operations, thereby ensuring robust operational assurances for ESB. GE Vernova’s on-site team is dedicated to maintaining the plant’s availability throughout its operational life.
GE Vernova’s O&M division currently manages approximately 44 heavy-duty power plants worldwide, supported by a dedicated workforce of over 900 employees. This includes the Global O&M experts who offer technical support and instructions across the entire O&M business. Notably, the Shannonbridge project represents GE Vernova’s O&M division’s first endeavor with an Aero power plant. While Aero and heavy-duty power plants share several operational characteristics, the distinct Aero technology requires specialized expertise to deliver highest power plant availability.
To ensure seamless operations, the O&M team collaborated with GE Aero Product Service engineering and CSA project managers at the Shannonbridge site. This partnership was formed to align expectations, address specific needs, and provide support for the new Aero service contract. Such collaboration enables all teams to manage any operational challenges efficiently and professionally, ensuring the plant’s continuous functionality. This teamwork is crucial in supporting the stability of Ireland’s electricity supply during critical times.
We are grateful to the team for their efforts in making this partnership successful and look forward to further strengthening intercompany collaboration between Aero Product Service Engineering, Aero CSA, and the O&M division, reinforcing our collective commitment to reliable power generation and grid stability in Ireland.
