Calon Energy has selected General Electric to upgrade the 800MW Sutton Bridge power plant in Lincolnshire, UK.

The upgrade is intended to increase the energy output of the natural gas-fired, combined-cycle facility by 3.4%, as well as lowering its start-up times and operating costs.

GE will be responsible for upgrading two existing GE 9FA gas turbines and a D-11 steam turbine at the plant. This will be achieved by equipping them with multiple applications from the OpFlex controls software suite, a Dry Low NOx 2.6+ combustor, and advanced gas path (AGP) technology solutions.

The upgrade package deployed at the plant will include OpFlex enhanced transient stability, AutoTune, variable load path, cold-day performance, extended turndown, variable inlet bleed heat, and variable airflow and steam turbine agility applications.

Scope of work will cover installation of steam turbine thermal blankets for improving cold-start capability of the turbines, as well as upgrades to the balance-of-plant equipment.

GE expects to start on the upgrades in mid-2016, and it is likely to take several months to complete.

Calon Energy CEO Kevin McCullough said: “Along with other combined-cycle gas turbine plants in the UK, Sutton Bridge has competed with subsidised renewables, cheap coal and high gas prices.”

GE has been responsible for the operation and maintenance (O&M) of the power station under a multiyear services agreement from 2013.