GE’s advanced gas turbine technology, capable of burning blends of hydrogen and natural gas, is going to lead the energy transition in Bangladesh and decarbonize it further.
The company has more than 120 gas turbines globally that are running on between 5 per cent (by volume) and 100 per cent hydrogen, and have accumulated more than 8.5 million operating hours.
GE made the prediction at Powering Smart Bangladesh Seminar, held at a city hotel on Tuesday. The event highlighted the innovative capabilities of GE’s future independent energy company – GE Vernova – that will ensure flexible, affordable and reliable power for Bangladesh.
The central theme of the seminar is “Leading a new era of clean energy.”
In a move to lead the global energy transition, GE announced in 2022 the spin-off of GE Vernova as a purpose-built business, that highlights the company’s commitment to sustainability and elevating its position as a key player in the energy industry that empowers climate action in all markets.
Chief Guest of the seminar, Bangladesh’s Power Secretary Md Habibur Rahman said “We are prioritising the introduction of policy interventions that can support the development of clean energy infrastructure in Bangladesh and contribute towards economic growth of the country by effectively meeting the power demand in future.
“We are also keen to invest in technologies that are already tested and can help Bangladesh to reduce carbon emissions quickly. Switching to hydrogen fuel for power generation in the future is one such example, where global companies like GE, having tremendous experience in the field, can collaborate with us in the sustainable development of Bangladesh’s power sector.”
While delivering the special address, Chairman Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB) Md Mahbubur Rahman said “Bangladesh is already a power surplus nation with 100% coverage of electricity, and now our focus is to supply reliable electricity in an uninterrupted manner.
“We are deploying the latest technologies and digital solutions to make the power infrastructure more robust, and I see GE Vernova, through its comprehensive portfolio, playing a crucial role in taking this journey forward.”
He added, “GE has been collaborating with us for many years and continues to offer its services across multiple domains to uplift the energy value chain in Bangladesh. GE Vernova can also help us in meeting the Smart Bangladesh Vision in future.”
The threat to climate change is real, and it is important for emerging economies like Bangladesh to adopt sustainable ways to generate economic value while keeping pace with infrastructure development.
GE’s Powering Smart Bangladesh Seminar, deliberated upon critical aspects that are essential to bring the real transformation in Bangladesh’s power sector.
GE Gas Power South Asia CEO Deepesh Nanda said, “GE remains committed to leading a new era of clean energy in Bangladesh.
“Today, GE’s technology is powering multiple power plants in the country and our power services are helping the power plant owners to use the fuel efficiently while generating electricity at lower cost.
He added, “GE will continue to offer a comprehensive portfolio of powering solutions distinguished by our commitment to quality, productivity, cost effectiveness and safety standards.
“We will continue to strategically position the record-setting HA technology, capable of operating on a wide range of hydrogen concentrations, for various upcoming high-capacity power projects in Bangladesh.”
He continued, “On the other hand, we are offering GE’s wide portfolio of heavy-duty and aero derivative gas turbines to meet specific powering requirements, such as balancing the grid and improving reliability of the power plant.
“This will allow Bangladesh to shift gears and adopt the latest powering technology which is future ready. Alongside, as Bangladesh diversifies its energy mix, GE’s hybrid power solutions can create an ecosystem in Bangladesh to supply electricity on round-the-clock basis in future.”
Sazzadur Rahman, managing director, Ashuganj Power Station Company Ltd; Mohammad Hossain, director general , Power Cell, Power Division, Ministry of Power, Energy & Mineral Resources; Jeffrey Goldmeer, Global Hydrogen Value Chain leader, GE Power shared their views around power plant efficiency, fuel dynamics, balancing renewable power at the grid level, policy framework to invite long-term investments in Bangladesh.
GE has a robust portfolio of gas turbine technologies including H-class, E-class, F-class, Frame 6, and aero-derivatives, installed across, operational and under commissioning power plants in the country.
This portfolio includes an installed base of 40 gas turbines, capable of generating over 3 GW of reliable electricity equivalent to supply to more than 3.6 million homes in Bangladesh.
GE also has more than 2000 people working, both direct and indirect hires, in Bangladesh for the company’s different functions and projects, most of the talents working in GE are hired locally.
