Termoyopal Power Plant in Colombia begins commercial operation with GE turbines

Termoyopal Power Plant in Colombia.[/caption]

The 150 MW Termoyopal Power Plant in Colombia began commercial operation using three GE’s LM6000 aeroderivative gas turbines. The expansion and modernization of the natural gas-fired power plant included two pre-existing units providing a total of 50 MW and three new generation units, each with a capacity of 50 MW. The plant will deliver approximately 2% of the national power.

The newly expanded units are expected to increase the total power plant’s output while improving efficiency and flexibility needed to support renewables growth in the country and bolster its ability to respond to possible severe weather events.

Project supports the Colombian government’s target to diversify energy sources by increasing gas and renewables and reduce emission by 51% within 2030, and achieve carbon neutrality by 2050.

Periodically, about every four years, Colombia encounters challenging energy shortages due to droughts caused by the El Niño weather phenomenon. With approximately 75 percent of the energy produced in Colombia being hydroelectric energy, this phenomenon causes a prolonged and extreme dry season and disrupts electricity being generated by hydroelectric power.