CHN Energy's new power unit to cut carbon emissions sharply

The country's single largest and most efficient gas-fired power unit has been brought online at China Energy Investment Corp's (CHN Energy) Anji power plant in Zhejiang province, marking a significant step in the nation's energy transition efforts.

The No 1 gas-fired generating unit at the CHN Energy Anji plant successfully completed a 168-hour full-load trial run and officially entered commercial operation on Sunday — replacing older, more polluting facilities and accelerating the shift toward cleaner energy sources, CHN Energy said.

The new 9H-class gas unit boasts a combined cycle efficiency of 64.15 percent, representing a gain of about 17 percent compared to conventional million-kilowatt coal-fired units.

Crucially, the unit's carbon emission intensity is only 40 percent of a comparable coal-fired plant and produces virtually no particulate matter or sulfur dioxide, significantly reducing pollution at the source. 

The Anji plant replaces the former Meixi coal-fired power plant, which was once the largest in Zhejiang province before being retired under national efforts to replace older, smaller units with larger, more modern facilities.

The new project consists of two 9H-class units with a total installed capacity of 1.69 million kilowatts (kW). Following the launch of Unit 1, the second unit is currently in the commissioning phase and is slated to begin power generation early next year.

Once fully operational, the plant is expected to generate approximately 7 billion kilowatt-hours (kWh) annually, enough to meet the yearly electricity needs of about 6 million residents. The total projected annual reduction in carbon dioxide emissions is about 1.86 million metric tons, with a saving of approximately 680,000 tons of standard coal.

zhengxin@chinadaily.com.cn