Vietnam Gas Turbine Deployment Enhances Grid Reliability

GE Vernova has commenced commercial operation of the Nhon Trach 3&4 combined cycle power plant in Vietnam, marking the first deployment of its advanced 9HA gas turbine technology in the country and the first commercial power plant in Vietnam to be fueled by liquefied natural gas (LNG). The 1.6-gigawatt facility, located in Dong Nai province near Ho Chi Minh City, responds directly to rapidly rising regional electricity demand and national energy transition goals by combining high efficiency, fuel flexibility, and lower emissions compared with traditional thermal generation.

Advanced Gas Turbine Technology and Competitive Differentiation
At the core of the plant are two GE Vernova 9HA.02 gas turbine blocks, each paired with a steam turbine, advanced heat recovery steam generator, and integrated control systems. This configuration enables combined cycle efficiency exceeding 63 percent, placing it among the highest efficiency gas power facilities globally. The 9HA technology distinguishes itself from many conventional turbines through its capability to deliver greater fuel efficiency, reduced carbon intensity and versatile fuel use. It currently operates on LNG with provisions for up to 50 percent hydrogen co-firing and the potential for future 100 percent hydrogen operation, a capability that supports longer-term decarbonisation objectives beyond natural gas.

The plant’s efficiency and fuel flexibility differentiate GE Vernova’s solution from older or less advanced gas turbines. Compared with coal-fired power of similar output, the facility’s LNG fuel mix and modern combined cycle configuration yield approximately 60 percent lower carbon emissions, contributing to cleaner power generation while maintaining dispatchable capacity critical for system stability.

Role in Vietnam’s Energy Strategy and Renewable Integration
Vietnam’s revised National Power Development Plan anticipates a significant role for LNG in the nation’s generation mix by 2030, reflecting a shift toward lower-carbon flexible generation sources that can support the integration of variable renewables. The Nhon Trach 3&4 plant aligns with this strategy by delivering reliable, dispatchable power essential for balancing solar and wind generation while supporting rapid industrial and urban demand growth in the southern economic corridor.

In operational terms, the plant supplies electricity to Ho Chi Minh City, Dong Nai and surrounding provinces, helping to bridge supply gaps and enhance grid stability. By replacing or reducing reliance on coal generation, the facility supports Vietnam’s broader sustainable development and net-zero ambitions.

Local Implementation and Operational Support
The facility was engineered and constructed by EPC partners Samsung C&T and Lilama. GE Vernova’s contribution extends beyond turbine hardware to include integrated control systems designed to enhance asset visibility, operational reliability and maintainability, thereby lowering lifecycle costs. Local manufacturing components, such as heat recovery steam generator modules produced at GE Vernova’s Dung Quat facility, further embed the project within Vietnam’s industrial ecosystem.

The commercial start-up of Vietnam’s first HA-class LNG-fired plant showcases GE Vernova’s capacity to deliver high-efficiency, low-emissions power generation technology that supports both immediate energy needs and longer-term decarbonisation pathways. Its blend of efficiency, fuel flexibility and integration with renewable growth positions this technology as a competitive choice for utilities and developers seeking to balance reliability with sustainability in emerging and transitioning power markets.

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