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MHPS Enables the Power Plant of the Future for Dominion Virginia Power

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Dominion Breaks Ground on Largest and Lowest Carbon
Intensity Combined Cycle Power Plant in North America

EMPORIA, VIRGINIA– (December 7, 2016) Dominion Virginia Power held a groundbreaking ceremony on Dec. 1 for its Greensville County Power Station, which will use three M501J gas turbines from Mitsubishi Hitachi Power Systems (MHPS) to provide efficient and reliable energy for 1.3 million homes.

The new plant features the output of three highly efficient and environmentally friendly M501J gas turbines with a steam turbine resulting in the largest combined cycle power project in North America. Utilizing low cost natural gas, the plant will produce 1588 MW of power. The three MHPS Advanced Class Gas Turbines (ACGT) were manufactured at MHPS’s Savannah Machinery Works in Georgia and have been delivered to site.

This is the third project in the past five years in which MHPS has partnered with Dominion to supply reliable ACGT technology. The other two sites, Warren County and Brunswick County Power Stations, utilize a total of six M501GAC gas turbines combined with steam turbines.  All three sites are covered by an MHPS long-term maintenance agreement to provide parts, repairs and maintenance services.

MHPS’s breakthrough digital solutions are causing a change in power to take place among turbine manufacturers.  At the Dominion Greensville County Power Station, the power plant of the future will use remote monitoring to optimize plant performance and anticipate potential maintenance needs so work can be handled during scheduled downtimes. By using advanced digital analytics, MHPS will help Dominion boost ROI and provide reliable power to Virginia residents and businesses.

Speaking at the ground breaking event, Paul Browning, President and CEO of Mitsubishi Hitachi Power Systems Americas, said, “This is an exciting day for Dominion Virginia Power and for MHPS. Six months ago we cut the ribbon on the Brunswick County Power Station five miles down the road and today we’re breaking ground on the power plant of the future here in Greensville County.  At MHPS we pride ourselves on being the only company in our industry that combines world class performance with proven reliability, which helps Dominion provide reliable and affordable energy to their residential and commercial customers. We want to thank Dominion for their continued trust and partnership.”

MHPS is leading an energy revolution with ACGT technology that is attracting customers worldwide. MHPS has sold 45 J-series gas turbines, with 21 of those turbines currently in commercial operation, racking up more than 335,000 hours of proven performance with 99.3 percent reliability. No other company has even a single 60 Hz gas turbine in this size range in commercial operation.  In fact MHPS has more J- and G-series advanced class gas turbines operating around the globe than any other OEM.  And MHPS is furthering its leadership with the new air-cooled version of the J-series turbine that offers an industry-leading combined cycle efficiency exceeding 63 percent.

The Greensville County Power Station will be a major boost for the region's economy. During construction, the project will support 1,000 jobs.  Once in operation, it is expected to provide $8 million in annual property taxes for Greensville County.  Post-construction economic benefits are projected to amount to approximately $36 million annually, and about 166 jobs will be supported, with roughly half of those in Greensville County.