Singapore's Keppel to upgrade second gas turbine unit at Merlimau Cogen plant
Keppel announced on July 1 that it will upgrade a second existing gas turbine unit at the Keppel Merlimau Cogen combined cycle power plant situated on Singapore’s Jurong Island. The upgrade aims to enhance the overall plant's efficiency and lower its carbon emissions by at least 17,800 tCO2e/year, equivalent to removing more than 5,400 vehicles from the roads annually.
The upgrade will involve modifications to the gas turbine frame, including the turbine, compressor, and combustor, providing the most advanced performance improvements for a combined cycle gas turbine of its class. Supported by the Genco Energy Efficiency Grant, awarded by Singapore’s Energy Market Authority (EMA) in 2023, the upgrade is expected to be completed by the end of June 2025. Additionally, with certain modifications, the upgraded turbine will also be able to co-fire hydrogen blended with natural gas as feedstock.
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The power sector in Singapore contributes around 40% of the country's total carbon emissions, with 95% of the electricity generated from natural gas. As gas continues to be a dominant fuel for Singapore, combined cycle gas turbines (CCGT) will remain crucial in the country’s energy landscape. Enhanced energy efficiency and the use of hydrogen as feedstock can contribute to a reduction in emissions from electricity generation by CCGTs, Keppel stated.
Keppel completed the first turbine upgrade at the plant in 2022. The company has a total of four power generation units installed in Singapore, totalling 1.3 GW and is in the process of building another 600 MW hydrogen-ready CCGT, which is targeted to be completed in 2026.
Keppel Merlimau Cogen is 51% owned by Keppel Infrastructure Trust and 49% owned by Keppel.