GE Vernova, ENKA Start Commercial Operations for First HA Power Plant in Türkiye

ENKA and GE Vernova officially kickstarted commercial operations at the 852-MW Kirklareli power plant in Türkiye, approximately 20 miles from the Bulgarian border. GE Vernova supplied its combined-cycle power generation equipment, including a 9HA.02 gas turbine with H78 generator, an STF-D650 steam turbine, and a triple-pressure heat recovery steam generator. The company also signed a multi-year, long-term maintenance agreement to enhance asset visibility, reliability, and availability.

All engineering, procurement, construction, and commissioning activities were executed by ENKA’s in-house teams, with about 8 million hours of effort over a 36-month execution timeline. The Kirklareli facility is expected to be among the most efficient combined-cycle gas power plants in Türkiye, achieving over 63% net efficiency in combined-cycle mode. The facility is the first HA-power plant domestically and represents a milestone in the modernization of Türkiye’s power generation fleet.

“With the successful commissioning of the Kirklareli power plant, ENKA has achieved a significant milestone, strengthening its position as both investor, EPC contractor, and operator of one of Türkiye's most efficient combined-cycle facilities," said Mehmet Tara, Chairman of the Board and President of ENKA. “By delivering flexible, high-efficiency power to the national grid, this project reflects ENKA's nearly 70 years of engineering heritage, the depth of our in-house capabilities—from design to commissioning—and our long-term commitment to supporting Türkiye’s growing electricity needs with efficient, reliable, and flexible generation.”

The Kirklareli’s plant commercial operation comes as Türkiye modernizes its power system to fulfill growing electricity demand through a more efficient, resilient, and diversified generation mix. Per the IEA outlook, natural gas power generation in Türkiye has significantly expanded over the past two decades and represents a key part of the country’s energy mix, providing more than 25% of its electricity.

“As Türkiye prepares to host COP31, this project highlights the role that advanced, high-efficiency power generation technologies can play in strengthening energy security, while enhancing grid reliability,” said Joseph Anis, President & CEO for GE Vernova’s Gas Power in Europe, Middle East & Africa. “Kırklareli's entry into commercial operation marks a step in our collaboration with ENKA and in bringing GE Vernova’s HA technology to Türkiye for the first time.”

Pumped-Storage Units

Last week, Megha Engineering & Infrastructures Limited (MEIL) contracted GE Vernova to supply nine 150-MW pumped-storage units for the 1.35-GW Upper Sileru hydropower plant in Andhra Pradesh, India. The company’s full work scope includes design, engineering, manufacturing, testing, supply, transportation, and supervision of erection, testing, and commissioning of the units, control, and governing systems. Upper Sileru will be among the largest pumped-storage hydropower projects in India with completion slated by 2030.

GE Vernova’s pumped-storage units are vertical Francis reversible systems that are designed for high efficiency, operational flexibility, and a long service life, permitting reliable performance across several decades of operation. The company will leverage its Indian engineering and manufacturing footprint while supporting local employment, skills development, and industrial capabilities during project execution.

Upon completion, MEIL’s hydropower plant will store and supply sufficient electricity equivalent to the annual needs of approximately 3 million Indian households. This project will play a critical role in supporting India’s energy transition by providing long-duration energy storage to balance intermittent solar and wind capacity on the national grid. With Upper Sileru’s ability to rapidly alternate between pumping and generating modes, the facility will support grid reliability, peak demand management, and frequency regulation at scale.