Nuclear energy offers reliable, lower-carbon power, but building a traditional large reactor can mean massive capital costs and construction schedules that are too slow for meeting the growing demand for reliable, low-carbon power. How to overcome these obstacles was a problem that a team of engineers, led by Christer Dahlgren and Brian Hunt, were ruminating on 10 years ago at the company that is today known as GE Vernova Hitachi Nuclear Energy.

SILVES, Brazil — [August 19^th, 2026] — GE Vernova Inc. (NYSE: GEV) and Eneva, the largest private natural gas operator in Brazil, celebrated the start of commercial operation of the Azulão I thermal power plant, located in Silves, approximately 330 kilometers (205 miles) from Manaus. Contracted to provide 295 megawatts (MW) of capacity to Brazil’s National Interconnected System (SIN) for 15 years, the new plant will contribute to enhancing the stability, reliability and security of the country’s electricity supply. The project is the first asset of Eneva’s Azulão Complex, which comprises the Azulão I and Azulão II power plants.

At the heart of the Azulão I facility is GE Vernova’s high-performance 7HA.02 gas turbine, paired with a H65 generator. The advanced turbine is expected to deliver the rapid load-following capabilities needed to balance the grid and support the growth of non-dispatchable renewables, like wind and solar, across Brazil. 

The project’s success is anchored by Eneva’s pioneering "Reservoir-to-Wire" (R2W) model, which improves infrastructure by generating electricity at the source of natural gas production. To integrate this plant into the Tucuruí-Macapá-Manaus one of the world’s longest and most challenging high-voltage transmission corridors spanning ~1,850 km (1,150 miles) — Eneva and GE Vernova implemented a custom-engineered Sub Synchronous Resonance (SSR) blocking filter paired with a torsional stress relay solution to help ensure the plant could operate reliably and in harmony with the surrounding transmission system.

Additionally, utilizing its extensive local service capabilities, GE Vernova secured a 15-year service agreement aiming to help ensure the highest levels of reliability and operational availability.

“The start of commercial operations at Azulão I represents the realization of one of Eneva’s most significant projects. This development demonstrates our ability to structure and execute large-scale strategic investments, even in highly complex logistical and operational environments. The Azulão Complex reinforces the consistency of our integrated business model, the strength of our company, and our commitment to contributing to Brazil’s energy security and economic development,” said Rafael Coitinho, Engineering, Construction & Assembling Director at Eneva. 

According to Brazil's Ten-Year Energy Expansion Plan (PDE 2035), developed by the Energy Research Company (EPE), renewables are expected to cover more than 85% of Brazil's electricity generation by 2035, particularly with the expansion of wind and solar generation. Given the inherent intermittency of these sources, gas turbines are critical for balancing the system, providing dispatchable power necessary to stabilize the grid and help meet demand.

“Azulão is the ultimate expression of our comprehensive portfolio strength” said Marco Vera, VP of New Units for GE Vernova’s Gas Power business in Latin America. “By integrating our advanced gas-powered technology with specialized, cutting-edge grid-stabilization solutions, and long-term maintenance services, we have proven that we can deploy high-efficiency power in even the most complex transmission environments. Our ability to tailor these end-to-end solutions reflects our deep commitment to addressing our customer's most demanding energy needs and underscores our unwavering dedication to supporting Brazil’s economic development and long-term energy security.”

GE Vernova’s presence in Brazil spans over 100 years, supported by a local workforce of approximately 5,000 employees, including dedicated local service capabilities. The company’s commitment is underpinned by a robust installed base—generating approximately 40% of Brazil’s total electricity.

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About Eneva:

Eneva is the largest private natural gas operator in Brazil, active in exploration, production, and power generation. Currently, the company manages 38 assets across 4 sedimentary basins, which grant Eneva 45.8 bcm in natural gas reserves (2P), the largest onshore volume among operators in the country. The company holds 10 GW of generation capacity, with assets, operations, and projects under development in ten states across the country.

Azulão gas power complex highlights

Azulão Complex, featuring both Azulão I and II, is powered by GE Vernova’s advanced H-Class technology, renowned for its efficiency and grid-balancing capabilities. The complex is expected to deliver a combined output of up to 950 MW, a capacity equivalent to the amount of power needed by approximately four million Brazilian homes and it is scheduled to achieve commercial operation in July 2027.

Forward Looking Statements:

This document contains forward-looking statements – that is, statements related to future events that by their nature address matters that are, to different degrees, uncertain. These forward-looking statements often address GE Vernova’s expected future business and financial performance and financial condition, and the expected performance of its products, the impact of its services and the results they may generate or produce, and often contain words such as “expect,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “plan,” “believe,” “seek,” “see,” “will,” “would,” “estimate,” “forecast,” “target,” “preliminary,” or “range.” Forward-looking statements by their nature address matters that are, to different degrees, uncertain, such as statements about planned and potential transactions, investments or projects and their expected results and the impacts of macroeconomic and market conditions and volatility on the Company’s business operations, financial results and financial position and on the global supply chain and world economy.

About GE Vernova:

GE Vernova Inc. (NYSE: GEV) is a purpose-built global energy company that includes Power, Electrification, and Wind segments and is supported by its accelerator businesses. Building on over 130 years of experience tackling the world’s challenges, GE Vernova is uniquely positioned to help lead the energy transition by continuing to electrify the world while simultaneously working to decarbonize it. GE Vernova helps customers power economies and deliver electricity that is vital to health, safety, security, and improved quality of life. GE Vernova is headquartered in Cambridge, Massachusetts, U.S., with approximately 85,000 employees across approximately 100 countries around the world. Supported by the Company’s purpose, The Energy to Change the World, GE Vernova technology helps deliver a more affordable, reliable, sustainable, and secure energy future. Learn more: GE Vernova and LinkedIn.