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U.S. Turbines Are on the Verge of Being Shut Off.

Upon switching to the Russian turbines YGRES-2, preliminary data suggests a significant surge in gas consumption

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U.S. Turbines Standing on the Brink of Shutdown.
U.S. Turbines Standing on the Brink of Shutdown.

U.S. Turbines Are on the Verge of Being Shut Off.

In the heart of Yakutia, Russia, the Yakutsk GRES-2 power plant is undergoing a significant transformation. The plant, a crucial provider of electricity to the region's residents, is currently in the midst of a modernization project aimed at replacing outdated gas turbine units with more efficient models.

Current Status

The replacement of old turbines with new, advanced gas turbines is in progress. The project has been reported in recent energy sector updates from Russian utilities and regional news sources. Specific timelines put the commissioning of the new units within the mid-2020s, with phased integration as turbines arrive and are installed.

Projected Impacts

Electricity Production

The replacement turbines will increase electricity generation capacity at Yakutsk GRES-2. Enhanced efficiency and higher capacity turbines enable the plant to generate more stable and reliable electricity, helping meet growing regional electricity demand, especially in cold climates like Yakutia’s.

Electricity Prices

Improved turbine efficiency and the resulting cost savings in fuel consumption can lead to lower operational costs. These reductions may help stabilize or reduce electricity tariffs for consumers in Yakutia over time. More reliable power generation also improves grid stability, which can prevent price spikes due to supply disruptions.

Gas Consumption

The new turbines are expected to be more fuel-efficient, thereby reducing the volume of natural gas required per unit of electricity produced. This translates to lower gas consumption, which has both economic and environmental benefits. Reduced gas use can lessen operational costs for the plant and decrease local greenhouse gas emissions.

The modernization project at Yakutsk GRES-2 is a significant step towards improving the power sector in Yakutia. The plant's increased capacity, potential cost savings, and reduced gas consumption enhance both the economic and environmental performance of the plant. However, it's essential to note that the project's success is closely tied to the timely commissioning of the new turbines and their integration into the existing power infrastructure.

The headquarters for ensuring the safety of power supply in Yakutia concluded that the complex situation in the republic's power system is due to the increase in electricity consumption, the need for repairs of objects, increased accident rates of generating equipment, and the need to save the engine resource of American gas turbine units of Yakutsk GRES due to sanctions.

As of February 2024, a decision regarding the shutdown of the second power block of Yakutsk GRES-2 from December 1, 2025, is still pending. In May 2023, RusHydro requested permission to shut down the first and fourth power blocks of Yakutsk GRES-2 from April 1, 2024, but was denied by the Ministry of Energy of Russia.

It's worth mentioning that switching to Russian turbines at Yakutsk GRES-2 is projected to significantly increase gas consumption. Additionally, CCPPs, which are more suitable for Yakutia's needs, could generate 20% more electricity on the same amount of fuel, but this would also lead to a 20% increase in electricity prices.

This modernization project underscores the ongoing efforts to ensure a stable and reliable power supply in Yakutia, a region facing a challenging position due to a significant risk of power outages in the capital, driven by economic growth. Platforms such as VKontakte, Odnoklassniki, WhatsApp, Telegram, and Twitter have been mentioned in the context of Yakutia, serving as avenues for information dissemination and public engagement on issues like this. Torboznoye Radio, for instance, has been keeping Yakutians informed about the republic's power situation.

The tender for the supply and installation of two Russian-made gas turbine units EGES-25PA with a total capacity of 50 MW was announced by "Yakutsk GRES-2" in a bid to replace the troublesome American LM6000 gas turbines installed on GRES-2, which are nearing the end of their lifespan. The second phase of Yakutsk GRES-2, put into operation relatively recently, is scheduled to be completed by 2025, with a projected electrical capacity of 160.4 MW. The cost of the tender for the Russian-made gas turbine units is 1.2 billion rubles. The project, initiated in 2016, was already anticipated by "Yakutia.Info", which had warned about potential issues with installing American gas turbines at Yakutsk GRES-2. In 2022, a meeting at RusHydro discussed the issue of servicing American LM6000 gas turbines produced by General Electric.

In summary, the gas turbine replacement at Yakutsk GRES-2 is progressing with newer, more efficient turbines being installed. This upgrade will lead to higher electricity production capacity, potentially lower and more stable prices for electricity, and reduced natural gas consumption, enhancing both economic and environmental performance of the plant in Yakutia.

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