Hudian Yangzhou Jiangdu, China: Clean heat and power for high-demand manufacturing

In early summer, three 30MW Siemens Energy SGT-700 gas turbines operate steadily at Jiangsu Huadian Yangzhou Zhongran Energy Co., Ltd. The new energy station supplies power and steam to the Jiangdu Economic Development Zone, providing local manufactures with cleaner power and heat. This shift from traditional coal-fired boilers to an efficient combined heat and power (CHP) technology marks another milestone in the partnership between Huadian Group and Siemens Energy on the path to sustainability.

Established in 1993, the Jiangdu Economic Development Zone was among the first provincial-level industrial zones in China to undergo national review. Spanning over 100 square kilometers, it is home to thriving clusters in specialty steel, advanced materials processing, specialized shipbuilding, high-end equipment manufacturing, integrated circuits, biopharmaceuticals, new materials and new energy. For industries like chemicals and new materials, continuous production is critical: any unexpected shutdowns can disrupt efficiency and lead to significant financial losses. A stable and reliable supply of heat and power is therefore essential.

For years, the zone relied on coal-fired industrial boilers to generate steam, a system that was inefficient, costly, and highly polluting. In support of Jiangsu Province’s ”263” environmental initiative and promote a green transformation, the Jiangdu Economic Development Zone is taking a two-pronged approach: phasing out coal and introducing cleaner alternatives. A natural gas-based distributed energy project is replacing scattered small boilers with a centralized heating system. 

Jiangsu Huadian Yangzhou Zhongran Energy Co., Ltd. (Huadian Yangzhou Jiangdu), a key local energy provider, responded swiftly to the Development Zone’s call for cleaner and effective solutions. After months of evaluating global gas turbine manufacturers, the company selected Siemens Energy SGT-700 gas turbines for their proven reliability, robust, and ease of maintenance.

The SGT-700 gas turbines meet both project performance requirements and strict environmental regulations. Equipped with the third-generation Dry Low Emissions (DLE) burners, they keep NOx emissions below 15vppm and CO emissions below 20vppm, which is fully compliant with national standards.

Siemens Energy is committed to advancing clean, low-carbon, and efficient energy systems, which alignes with Huadian Group’s sustainability goals. This shared vision has resulted in another successful collaboration at Huadian Yangzhou Jiangdu.

In 2021, the contract for the Huadian Yangzhou Jiangdu gas turbine project was signed, with Siemens Energy supplying three units of SGT-700 gas turbines, along with generators, electrical and control systems, and other supporting equipment and services for the project. With the collaboration of Hangzhou Steam Turbine New Energy and other partners, all three units of SGT-700 gas turbine at Hudadian Yangzhou Jiangdu were fully commissioned by December 30, 2024. 

The SGT-700 turbines now meet the heating demands of dozens of enterprises in the zone, saving approximately 76,000 tons of standard coal and reducing carbon dioxide emissions by about 188,700 tons annually. The project significantly improves local environmental quality while delivering both economic and social benefits.

The project had tight deadlines and complex, simultaneous workstreams. This made Siemens Energy precise service system the key to its successful execution. During construction, the on-site technical field advisory (TFA) team from Siemens Energy worked closely with Huadian Yangzhou Jiangdu and contractors to overcome installation challenges. Thanks to this collaboration, all key milestones of the project – from positioning and assembly to commissioning and full-load trail runs – were completed on the first attempt successfully.

Despite the compressed schedule, progress remained steady. On December 12, 2024, the first gas turbine was connected to the grid and delivered its first kilowatt-hour of electricity. By December 30, all units had completed the "72+24" trial run and started commercial operation, setting a new national record for the shortest commissioning period for this type of gas turbine. Today, all three turbines have passed performance and reliability tests and have been in commercial operation for nearly six months.

The successful implementation of this project marked a new chapter in the collaboration between Huadian Group and Siemens Energy. It serves as a model for regional industrial optimization and circular economic development. Looking to the future, the two companies are exploring new frontiers, such as hydrogen blending with natural gas to drive the next phase of green energy innovation.