Mitsubishi Power Aims To Expand Gas Turbine Expertise In Asia Pacific

By Siti Radziah Hamzah

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 9 (Bernama) -- Mitsubishi Power Asia Pacific Pte Ltd aims to expand its gas turbine expertise in Southeast Asia, given the significant utilisation potential of natural gas and liquefied natural gas (LNG) in the region.

Its managing director/chief executive officer, Akihiro Ondo said the company’s gas turbine has the capability to co-fire with hydrogen up to 30 per cent.  

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"We see significant potential in Southeast Asia for the utilisation of natural gas or LNG. This is the real transitional solution for the region. Plant owners can begin operations using 100 per cent natural gas or LNG.

"Once the hydrogen supply chain becomes economically viable, plants can start co-firing with hydrogen up to 30 per cent. We can then gradually increase this co-firing ratio to 50 per cent, and eventually 100 per cent, depending on the supply chain's development," he told Bernama in an exclusive interview during the ongoing Enlit Asia 2024 here.

Enlit Asia is a regional event which runs from October 8-10 and brings the entire power and energy value chain together on one platform

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Ondo, who has helmed the company since April 2023, sees a lot of growth in the Asia Pacific region, particularly Southeast Asian markets, namely Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, Vietnam and the Philippines.   

"Malaysia will have the continuous addition of power generation," he said referring to the latest contract secured by the company in August this year.

Mitsubishi Power secured a contract to supply advanced gas and steam turbines for a new 500-megawatt (MW) gas turbine combined cycle (GTCC) power plant in Miri, Sarawak. 

The contract, signed with Chinese state-owned hydropower engineering and construction company Sinohydro Corporation, includes the M701F gas turbine, which can co-fire with up to 30 per cent hydrogen.

The plant is owned by PETROS Power, a subsidiary of Petroleum Sarawak Bhd.

The project is part of Sarawak's broader strategy to enhance energy security and support economic growth under the Sarawak Gas Roadmap. 

Ondo said the project is on track to be operational by 2027.

"We started basic engineering (in the project) Then we have a lot of technical sessions with our EPCC (engineering, procurement, construction, and commissioning) contractor from China and also the owner, Petros," he added. 

Since the 1960s, Mitsubishi Power has been actively involved in the supply of energy technologies and solutions such as GTCC power plants, boilers, generators, and maintenance services to Malaysia.  

"We delivered several power generation facilities in Malaysia from the 1960s, which includes gas turbines, and we also provide maintenance support to such existing power stations.

"We have deployed our resources or spare parts (other services) to our existing customers in Malaysia and the new GTCC opportunity in Miri will open the door for us to enhance our commitment to power stations in Malaysia," he added. 

Apart from Malaysia, Mitsubishi Power has completed construction of the eighth and final M701JAC unit of a 5,300MW natural gas-fired power plant project in Thailand. 

The project, a joint venture between Gulf Energy Development Public Company Limited -- one of Thailand's largest independent power producers -- and Mitsui & Co Ltd, commenced full commercial operations on Oct 1, 2024.

Ondo said the company would continue to provide support in terms of decarbonisation efforts in Asia Pacific.

He added that the company's core expertise is to provide technological solutions and power generation systems.

This was evident with having its 550-megawatt power station in the company's factory in the western part of Japan.

 "We started to install the hydrogen production facility and produce hydrogen storage in one place. This kind of investment in technological validation is the most important part for us to contribute to decarbonisation. 

"We will continue our approach and provide a commercialised solution to the Asia Pacific region and worldwide," he noted.

-- BERNAMA