Iberdrola’s 766 MW gas turbine power plant comes online in Mexico
Combined Cycle

Iberdrola’s 766 MW gas turbine power plant comes online in Mexico

GE Vernova’s Gas Power business and Iberdrola Mexico announced the start of commercial operation of Topolobampo III power plant, in the Mexican state of Sinaloa, close to the Topolobampo natural gas pipeline.

The 766 MW plant is powered by GE’s H-class combined cycle equipment and includes the first 7HA.01 gas turbines ordered in Mexico.

The Topolobampo III power plant uses two of GE Vernova’s 7HA.01 gas turbines, a D650 steam turbine and three H53 generators. The package is aimed at helping Iberdrola improve asset visibility, reliability and availability while reducing operating and maintenance costs, GE Vernova said. The two HRSGs were supplied by CERREY, GE Vernova’s local HRSG technology licensee.

The 7HA.01 can start and provide full power in less than 10 minutes, GE said, and it has the capability to burn hydrogen when blended with natural gas.

Engineering support for the project was provided by GEIQ, GE Vernova’s engineering center in Queretaro, Mexico, where local engineers supported the commissioning of the plant, entrance into service and will provide aftermarket operations.

The Topolobampo III power plant aims to help address the growing energy demand of Mexico’s population, which according to IEA analysis, is expected to grow to more than 150 million by 2050, from nearly 127 million today.

Mexico is among the largest producers of natural gas and the country’s output increased by 18% in 2022, over 2021. At the same time Mexico’s government plans to double the current renewable capacity by 2030, which would increase solar and wind capacity from 15 GW to 40 GW.