The UTE GNA II Geração de Energia, controlled by the companies bp, Siemens Energy and SPIC Brasil, took another step in the construction of the largest and most efficient natural gas plant in the country. On 4/16, it received the first of the three gas turbines that, in a combined cycle, will make up the plant's power island with 1.7 GW of installed capacity. Supplied by Siemens Energy, the equipment is considered one of the most important at the plant, which is expected to start commercial operation in early 2025.

The three HL class gas turbines are the most modern available on the market, offering more than 60% efficiency with the lowest carbon emission levels when compared to thermal power plants in operation in the country. Manufactured in Germany, each turbine has a nominal capacity of more than 350 MW, weighing around 310 tons, measuring 11.9 meters in length and 5.3 meters in height.

In February, the equipment left the factory in Berlin, Germany, directly for the Multicargo Terminal – T-MULT, located in Porto do Açu, about three kilometers from the plant's construction site. The second turbine is scheduled to arrive at Porto do Açu next month.

In all, the power island of UTE GNA II comprises three gas turbines, one steam turbine, four generators and three steam heat recovery boilers, in addition to other systems. The other power island equipment will arrive at the project by June/23.

“The arrival of the first GNA II turbine is a very important milestone for our project. We are building a structuring enterprise, which currently generates more than 2,700 jobs, economic and social development for the North of Rio de Janeiro, for the State of Rio de Janeiro and for Brazil and, when in operation, will bring more security and reliability to the System Elétrico Nacional”, emphasizes Carlos Baldi, director of Operation and Implementation of GNA.

The works of UTE GNA II started at the end of 2021 and have more than 65% of activities already completed. The project is in the electromechanical assembly phase and preparation of the areas to receive the equipment. In early 2024, the start of the commissioning period is expected.

In addition to supplying power island equipment, Siemens Energy is part of the plant's construction consortium and will be responsible for providing long-term operation and maintenance services for the plant.

UTE GNA II - UTE GNA II is part of the largest thermoelectric park in Latin America, with 3 GW of installed power, enough to supply around 14 million homes. The first plant, UTE GNA I, with 1.3 GW, started commercial operation in September 2021. To supply the plants, an LNG Regasification Terminal is in operation, the first for private use in Brazil, where the FSRU BW is moored MAGNA, a vessel capable of storing and regasifying up to 28 million m3 of gas per day. Thanks to the investment in a desalination unit, the plants operate with practically 100% seawater, making them independent of freshwater collection and contributing to the protection of water resources.

With 1.7 GW of installed power, enough to supply around 8 million homes, UTE GNA II alone is equivalent to 10% of all natural gas generation capacity available today in the National Interconnected System (SIN). The implementation of the project involves total investments in the order of R$ 7 billion, considering a combined cycle thermoelectric plant, a substation and a 500 kV transmission line, to supply the energy to the SIN. To make the implementation of the project feasible, in 2021, UTE GNA II signed a financing contract with BNDES in the total amount of approximately R$ 4 billion. At the end of last year, UTE GNA II received the first disbursement, in the amount of R$ 2.4 billion.

During the construction period, approximately 10,000 direct and indirect jobs are expected to be generated, most of them in the region. With the aim of training the local population, the company launched the second edition of its free Professional Qualification Program. Of the 450 vacancies offered, 41% were filled by women, reinforcing the company's support for gender equality in the sector. Safety is also one of the pillars of the enterprise. Since the beginning of the works, there have been no accidents with lost time.

Expansion
The GNA Natural Gas Thermoelectric Park also has 3.4 GW of licensed installed capacity, which will allow the development of new projects, reaching 6.4 GW, making it the largest gas and energy hub in America Latin. The expansion plans also include the construction of onshore gas pipelines, integrating GNA into the gas pipeline network.

About the GNA II

UTE GNA II Geração de Energia S.A. is a thermoelectric power plant powered by natural gas controlled by the companies bp, Siemens Energy and SPIC Brasil. The project is part of the largest natural gas thermoelectric park in Latin America, consisting of UTE GNA I, with 1.3 GW (in operation since 2021) and UTE GNA II (under construction), together they will reach 3 GW of installed capacity. Together, the two thermal plants will generate enough energy to supply around 14 million homes. In addition to the thermal plants, the project includes a LNG (Liquefied Natural Gas) Regasification Terminal, with capacity for 28 million cubic meters/day. The projects are financed by the National Bank for Economic and Social Development (BNDES).