China’s First 550MW F-class Gas Turbine Project Fully Operational in Chongqing

According to domestic energy industry media reports, China Huadian’s Tongnan gas turbine project in Chongqing achieved full-capacity power generation on 30 June. As the country’s first 550MW F-class gas turbine facility, the project delivers clean energy support for peak summer power supply and low-carbon energy transition across the Chengdu-Chongqing economic circle.

The project is equipped with two 550.12MW split-shaft combined gas-steam cycle peak-shaving generating units, registering a total installed capacity of 1,100.24MW. Designed with outstanding energy-saving and emission-reduction performance, the facility can generate 2.1 billion kilowatt-hours of clean electricity annually. Its annual operational output helps save 200,000 tonnes of standard coal and cut carbon dioxide emissions by 860,000 tonnes, effectively advancing regional green and low-carbon development progress.

The Tongnan scheme features exclusive technical configurations among all gas power facilities in Chongqing, incorporating an advanced fast load-shedding function. The system can respond instantly to sudden grid faults, enabling isolated island operation and rapid power restoration to minimise supply disruptions. Each generating unit is supported by two full-capacity power transmission lines, allowing continuous full-load grid feeding even if one transmission line fails independently.

The upgraded power transmission framework optimises the power grid layout in northwest Chongqing. It strengthens the regional power system’s peak regulation, frequency modulation and disaster resistance capabilities, delivering solid technical guarantees for the secure and stable operation of the urban power network throughout seasonal power consumption peaks.

The whole plant adopts intelligent management systems with one-click start-stop and automatic control functions. Full-time intelligent monitoring and visualised equipment health management cover all operational scenarios, eliminating manual monitoring blind spots and optimising daily operational workflows. The integrated digital system substantially improves overall operational efficiency and intrinsic safety levels of the generating units.

Gas turbine power generation serves as a flexible and reliable supporting power source for new power systems. The rapid response characteristics of the F-class units will complement the volatility of wind and solar power generation in the Chengdu-Chongqing region. Further optimisation of intelligent operational strategies and grid docking mechanisms will be carried out to give full play to the project’s peak-shaving and emergency guarantee capacity.