GE Vernova has announced a partnership with Uniper to upgrade three GT26 gas turbines at the Grain power station located in Kent, the UK. This upgrade, set to commence in 2026, is part of Uniper’s strategy to enhance the efficiency and power output of its generation assets while also aiming to reduce carbon dioxide emissions per megawatt (MW) as part of its decarbonisation efforts.
The GT26 High Efficiency (HE) upgrade is designed to improve the operational performance of the turbines, aligning with Uniper’s sustainability goals. This initiative follows a similar upgrade implemented at Uniper’s Enfield power plant in 2021, which successfully enhanced the performance and extended maintenance intervals of the combined cycle gas turbine.
Previous testing of the GT26 HE technology by GE Vernova demonstrated an increase in plant output of approximately 25MW per unit. Additionally, the upgrade is expected to yield a 1% improvement in efficiency during part load operations and a 1.8% increase in baseload efficiency. These enhancements could result in fuel savings of up to $1m per unit annually, along with maintenance intervals extended to 32,000 hours.
GE Vernova Gas Power business Europe, Middle East, and Africa (EMEA) president and CEO Joseph Anis said: “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.
“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.”
The GT26 HE upgrade incorporates advanced additive manufacturing techniques and innovations in material science and combustion, drawing on the strengths of GE Vernova’s F- and H-Class turbine fleets. As of March 2025, the GT26 HE fleet has surpassed 100,000 operating hours, with 15 units sold and 8 currently in operation, underscoring the upgrade’s performance and reliability.
Last month, GE Vernova completed the modernisation of Sasol’s Secunda power plant in Mpumalanga, South Africa.
