Marlim Azul Project Will Be the Most Fuel-efficient Gas Turbine Power Plant in South AmericaGlobal Resources Used to Deliver Tailored Solution for Energy Transition
Florida, USA, June 18, 2021 - (JCN Newswire) - Mitsubishi Power Americas, Inc. has shipped an M501JAC gas turbine to
Marlim Azul Energia's power plant in Macae, Rio de Janeiro, which will become the most fuel-efficient power plant in
South America when it begins operation in January 2023. The plant was the winning project at Brazil's gas-based energy
auctions and will be the first in Brazil to use associated gas from Brazil's Pre-Salt basin.Mitsubishi Power's Savannah Machinery Works in Savannah, Georgia, shipped Brazil's first M501JAC gas turbine to Marlim
Azul Energia's power plant in Macae, Rio de Janeiro. The plant will convert domestic pre-salt gas into electricity and
become the most fuel-efficient and affordable gas turbine power plant in South America when it enters operation.
(Credit: Mitsubishi Power)
The M501JAC is the world's leading gas turbine with an efficiency greater than 64%, reliability of 99.6%, and the lowest
carbon emissions per unit of power when used in combined cycle. The gas turbine's exceptional operational flexibility
will enable Marlim Azul to complement intermittent wind and solar power generation and to efficiently convert domestic
pre-salt gas into electricity with attractive prices for consumers.
This gas turbine is capable of using up to 30% hydrogen fuel and can be upgraded to use 100% hydrogen fuel to meet the
plant's future decarbonization needs.
A Mitsubishi Power, Shell, and Patria Investments joint venture is investing BRL 2.5 billion (approximately USD 600
million) to construct the plant. Shell Brasil Petroleo Ltda. will supply natural gas from Brazil's offshore deep-water
pre-salt basin.
Bruno Chevalier, CEO of Marlim Azul Energia, said, "Our goal is to make energy generation from Brazilian pre-salt gas a
reality. Mitsubishi Power's tailored solution for a 565 megawatt plant will enable us to lead the energy transition in
South America. The JAC gas turbine is a reliable investment that will enable further decarbonization in our region."
In addition to the gas turbine, Mitsubishi Power's solution includes TOMONI intelligent solutions to optimize power
plant performance, flexibility, and reliability. It also includes a 25-year long-term service agreement providing all
parts, repairs, and services as well as 24-hour support from the Service Engineering Team and remote monitoring services
to help optimize performance by detecting anomalies and diagnosing plant performance.
Demonstrating the strength of its global supply chain operation, Mitsubishi Power shipped the M501JAC unit, which was
designed in Japan and manufactured in the United States, on schedule to South America while keeping safety and quality
at the forefront during a global pandemic. Mitsubishi Power's 430,000 square foot Savannah Machinery Works in Georgia
has maintained its 100% on-time delivery record throughout the pandemic. The Marlim Azul unit is the fourth JAC to ship
from Savannah. Globally, Mitsubishi Power has booked 41 JAC gas turbine orders and Marlim Azul is the 12th JAC shipment.
Paul Browning, President and CEO of Mitsubishi Power Americas, said, "Our JAC power island for Marlim Azul aligns with
our mission to provide power generation and storage solutions to our customers, empowering them to affordably and
reliably combat climate change and advance human prosperity. The project will increase Brazil's energy stability by
using pre-salt natural gas.
The gas turbine, like all our gas turbines, shipped hydrogen-ready for future deep decarbonization. We are committed to
a long-term global effort to help our partners Shell and Patria achieve these ambitious goals. Together, we are creating
a Change in Power."
About Mitsubishi Power Americas, Inc.
Mitsubishi Power Americas, Inc. (Mitsubishi Power) headquartered in Lake Mary, Florida, employs more than 2,200 power
generation, energy storage, and digital solutions experts and professionals. Our employees are focused on empowering
customers to affordably and reliably combat climate change while also advancing human prosperity throughout North,
Central, and South America. Mitsubishi Power's power generation solutions include gas, steam, and aero-derivative
turbines; power trains and power islands; geothermal systems; PV solar project development; environmental controls; and
services. Energy storage solutions include green hydrogen, battery energy storage systems, and services. Mitsubishi
Power also offers intelligent solutions that use artificial intelligence to enable autonomous operation of power plants.
Mitsubishi Power, Ltd. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. (MHI). Headquartered in Tokyo,
Japan, MHI is one of the world's leading heavy machinery manufacturers with engineering and manufacturing businesses
spanning energy, infrastructure, transport, aerospace, and defense.