Alstom to construct the largest combined heat and power plant in the UK

Alstom has signed a contract worth 580 million euro with the European
utility E.ON for the construction of a 1,275 MW turnkey combined heat
and power plant (CHP)* at the Isle of Grain in Kent, United Kingdom. In
addition, Alstom has signed a long-term service agreement with E.ON for a
twelve year period.

Part of a large programme to replace many ageing power stations in the UK, this is the first Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) contract awarded to Alstom by E.ON for a GT26 technology-based, gas-fired combined cycle plant. Enfield, a combined cycle plant also built by Alstom using the same technology, was bought two years ago by E.ON.

Alstom will provide all EPC services to deliver a fully integrated turnkey combined heat and power plant. The plant is composed of three combined cycle units, each including one GT26 gas turbine, one steam turbine  and one high-efficiency turbogenerator. The waste heat generated by the power plant will be re-used by a Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) facility, close to the plant, for its own needs.

Today, there are 81 Alstom GT24/GT26 units in commercial operation worldwide, with six GT26 units already operating in the UK and two additional units in construction at Langage (Devon). Furthermore, the fleet has accumulated over 2.2 million firing hours.

Philippe Joubert, President of Alstom Power Systems, stated: Based on the excellent performance of our technology at Enfield, we are delighted that E.ON has chosen Alstom for this contract. Because the efficiency of the combined heat power plant is over 70%, we minimise the impact on the environment and consequently reduce CO2 emissions. 

*Combined Heat and Power (CHP) is an efficient, clean, and reliable approach to generating power and thermal energy from a single fuel source. It uses heat that is otherwise discarded from a conventional power generation to produce thermal energy. This energy is used to provide cooling or heating for industrial facilities, district energy systems, and commercial buildings. By recycling this waste heat, CHP systems achieve high efficiencies, which also reduce air emissions of nitrous oxides, sulphur dioxide, mercury, particulate matter, and carbon dioxide, the leading greenhouse gas associated with climate change. 

Should you have any media inquiries about this press release, do not hesitate to contact our team.

Your press contacts