GE installs LNG-fueled gas turbines at Jamaica plant

BADEN, SWITZERLAND — With half of Jamaica’s electricity generation infrastructure more than 30 yr old, the country is seeking ways to modernize its plants and decrease its oil dependency by diversifying its energy mix. Helping to increase power output and the country’s efforts for fuel diversification, GE’s Power Services business has signed an agreement with the integrated electric utility company, Jamaica Public Service Company, Limited (JPS), to modernize its generation equipment and provide its service expertise at the Bogue Power Station in Montego Bay, Jamaica.

Photo courtesy of GE.

JPS, with responsibility for generation, transmission and distribution on the island, recently introduced LNG into its fuel mix. This began with the dual-fuel conversion of its 120-megawatt (MW) combined-cycle Bogue Power Station. Now, with the installation of one of GE’s LM2500+ aeroderivative gas turbines at the Bogue plant, LNG-fueled generation will contribute up to approximately 15% of JPS’ total power production.

Repowering with GE’s LM2500+ aeroderivative gas turbine package will enable a power output increase of 20 MW at the plant. In addition to the unit, GE will provide associated installation services as well as inspection services to the existing Brush generator. The LM2500+ product family has been a proven technology for decades and has achieved more than 90 MM operating hours with more than 2,100 units deployed globally.

Over the years, GE has provided support at JPS’ Bogue, Old Harbour and Hunt’s Bay power stations. Recent projects include the addition of an inlet cooling system at the Bogue facility (in 2008) and a dual-fuel conversion at the power station (in 2016). Modernizations like these have helped JPS better meet the needs of its more than 600,000 customers. The utility owns and operates four power stations, nine hydroelectric plants, 43 substations and approximately 14,000 km of transmission and distribution lines.

This latest upgrade project is expected to be complete within the first half of 2018.

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