LONDON, United Kingdom (June 5, 2025) – GE Vernova (NYSE: GEV) today announced that Uniper signed a contractual service agreement to upgrade three GT26 gas turbine units powering Uniper’s Grain power station in Kent, UK. This GT26 High Efficiency (HE) upgrade is expected to increase efficiency and the power output, while supporting Uniper’s ambition to decarbonise its fleet by reducing carbon intensity (CO2 emissions per MW) at the plant.
“Increasing efficiency and the ability to maintain high availability, while lowering operational, and maintenance costs, is crucial for the long-term success of Grain power station,” said Bill Cliff, Uniper power station manager Enfield, Grain and Taylors Lane. “We worked with GE Vernova on the validation of GE Vernova’s GT26 HE upgrade at our Enfield power station, so we already had experience of this technology. Investment in our assets to reduce their carbon intensity, increase capacity and maintain reliability for security of supply is key for both Grain and Enfield power stations.”
At Enfield, the modernisation project improved performance and extended the maintenance interval of the combined cycle gas turbine. GE Vernova’s prior testing on the GT26 HE technology indicated increases in plant output approximately 25 megawatts (MW) per unit, a 1 percent increased efficiency in part load and a 1.8 percent increase in baseload efficiency, worth up to $1 million fuel savings per unit per year, and maintenance intervals extended up to 32,000 hours.
“For years, GE Vernova and Uniper have worked together to build and maintain power plants, using leading technologies and this upgrade marks another example of our successful cooperation,” said Joseph Anis, President and CEO of GE Vernova's Gas Power business in Europe, Middle East, and Africa. “This upgrade is expected to revitalise Uniper’s Grain power plant and to increase its reliability and availability in the Great Britain generation landscape, supporting its long-term profitability and viability. GE Vernova is well-positioned to provide services and upgrade solutions as customers continue to invest in their fleets to meet rising electricity demand and improve performance.”
GT26 HE Upgrade at a glance
The GT26 HE upgrade includes additive manufactured parts, and innovations in material science and combustion and combines the best from both GE Vernova’s F- and H-Class fleets.
As of end of March 2025, the GT26 HE fleet has achieved more than 100,000 operating hours. With 15 units sold and 8 units in operation, this significant achievement reflects the GT26 HE upgrade’s remarkable performance and reliability.
Key performance benefits[1] include:
Higher efficiency for combined-cycle power plants:
- Approximately 2 percent base load increased efficiency,
- Up to 1 percent increased efficiency in part load
- Increased plant output from 15 up to 55 MW per unit, improving revenue.
[1] Indicative values based on:
- Rating GT26 2006 configuration
- 6,500 yearly operating hours
- 4,000 full load hours yearly.
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Notes to editors
Financial Editors: Please note this order was booked in the first quarter of 2025.
To learn more on the upgrade: https://www.gevernova.com/gas-power/services/gas-turbines/gt26-service-solutions/high-efficiency
About Uniper
Düsseldorf-based Uniper is a European energy company with global reach and activities in more than 40 countries. With around 7,500 employees, the company makes an important contribution to security of supply in Europe, particularly in its core markets of Germany, the UK, Sweden, and the Netherlands. Uniper’s operations include power generation in Europe, global energy trading, and a broad gas portfolio. Uniper procures gas – including liquefied natural gas (LNG) – and other energy sources on global markets. The company owns and operates gas storage facilities with a total capacity of more than 7 billion cubic meters.
Uniper aims to be carbon-neutral by 2040. To achieve this, the company is transforming its power plants and facilities and investing in flexible, dispatchable power generation units. Uniper is one of Europe’s largest operators of hydropower plants and is helping further expand solar and wind power, which are essential for a more sustainable and secure future. Uniper is gradually adding renewable and low-carbon gases such as biomethane to its gas portfolio and is developing a hydrogen portfolio with the aim of a long-term transition. The company plans to offset any remaining CO2 emissions by high-quality CO2-offsets.
Uniper is a reliable partner for communities, municipal utilities, and industrial enterprises for planning and implementing innovative, lower-carbon solutions on their decarbonization journey. Uniper is a hydrogen pioneer, is active worldwide along the entire hydrogen value chain, and is conducting projects to make hydrogen a mainstay of the energy supply.
In the UK, Uniper owns and operates a flexible generation portfolio of power stations, a fast-cycle gas storage facility and two high pressure gas pipelines, from Theddlethorpe to Killingholme and from Blyborough to Cottam. We also have significant long-term regasification capacity at the Grain LNG terminal in Kent, to convert LNG back to natural gas. https://www.uniper.energy/