Wedoany.com Report-Dec.18, Georgia Power is advancing construction on three new natural gas-fired combustion turbine units at Plant Yates in Coweta County, southwest of Atlanta, Georgia, United States.

Georgia Power receives the gas turbine for Unit 8.

Recently, key equipment—including the turbine and generator—for Unit 9 has arrived on site. Each unit utilizes Mitsubishi Power's M501JAC simple-cycle gas turbine technology paired with a Mitsubishi Electric Power VP-X Series generator. These components were manufactured at Mitsubishi Power's Savannah Machinery Works and transported via rail and truck.

The Georgia Public Service Commission approved the additions in the 2023 Integrated Resource Plan Update. Thanks to streamlined development for natural gas facilities, the units are projected to commence operations by the end of 2027 to address growing electricity needs in the state. Deliveries for Unit 8 occurred in August, with those for Unit 10 anticipated in early 2026. Combined, the three turbines will add 1.3 GW of capacity.

The M501JAC series offers improved performance and efficiency compared to earlier simple-cycle designs. Each turbine weighs nearly 350 tons, measures 50 feet in length and 18 feet in width. Its air-cooled configuration enhances flexibility, eliminating steam cooling requirements, enabling start-up in about 30 minutes, and allowing lower minimum operation levels.

For added reliability, the units include dual-fuel capability, permitting operation on oil if natural gas supply is interrupted, supported by onsite storage. Future minor adjustments could also enable blending with hydrogen.

The accompanying VP-X generators are hydrogen-cooled models rated at 583 megavolt amperes, achieving 99% efficiency.

Plant Yates has historically relied on coal. In 2014, five of its seven original units were retired, and the remaining two were repurposed for natural gas use.

This expansion reflects efforts to incorporate advanced, flexible generation assets into the grid. The new turbines provide rapid response capabilities suitable for balancing variable demand and supporting system stability. By leveraging established technology from Mitsubishi Power, the project aims to deliver dependable power while meeting operational efficiency standards.

Overall, the developments at Plant Yates contribute to enhancing energy infrastructure in Georgia, accommodating increased requirements through proven natural gas solutions with provisions for operational adaptability.