Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico - GE is to supply its HA gas turbine technology plus power generation services and digital solutions for the Tierra Mojada combined-cycle gas-fired power plant in Guadalajara, Mexico.

Due for completion in December 2019, the plant will operate under the new wholesale electricity market created by Mexico's Energy Reform that brings opportunities for private investors to participate in the expansion of the country's oil, gas, and electricity sectors.

Fisterra Energy, a company majority owned by Blackstone Group LP, energy-focused private equity fund Blackstone Energy Partners, and global private equity fund Blackstone Capital Partners, will run to plant to bring power to the grid and sell it exclusively into the new open market.

"For Fisterra, this is a critical milestone in developing the Mexican power market and reinforces our commitment to the country," said Fisterra chief executive Pedro Barriuso.

"Tierra Mojada will provide energy in the most competitive manner, allowing for more reliable power to the residents and businesses in the region."

The plant will feature two GE 7HA.02 gas turbines, one steam turbine, three generators, two heat recovery steam generators and the latest plant control systems. The plant is expected to generate 875 MW of electricity and improve the stability of the Jalisco state grid.

Jalisco is the fourth-largest energy consumer nationwide, and despite its national importance, only 11 per cent of the energy it consumes is produced locally. GE said that the Tierra Mojada plant "will not only help power Jalisco but also the entire 'Bajío' region, which is a key area of the country due to its industrial growth. When completed, the plant will produce the equivalent power to supply up to 2.8 million Mexican homes."

Marco Vera, general manager for GE's Gas Power Systems in Mexico said the relationship between Fisterra Energy and GE "is exceptional – we maintain a strong commitment to delivering the most competitive gas turbine technology in the power generation industry for the latest power plants being developed in Mexico and around the world."

GE will also provide services to maintain the gas turbine, steam turbine and generators under a multi-year service agreement that will support optimum performance, efficiency and reliability of the equipment. The project scope also includes GE's Predix-based asset performance management software that predicts and diagnoses issues, optimizing the units' operation and resources. GE said this will help the plant operate at the highest levels of reliability and availability to support power purchase agreements.

The HA is GE's largest and most efficient gas turbine. In June of 2016, GE was recognized for powering the world's most efficient combined-cycle power plant with its HA technology at EDF's Bouchain plant in France. The technology is also capable of delivering full power to the grid in under 30 minutes and GE claims its HA gas turbines are the fastest growing fleet of gas turbines in the world.

GE has approximately 11,000 employees in Mexico. It recently opened the Morelia Service Center in Michoacán to provide advanced maintenance, testing, and repair solutions for generators and steam turbines for the Latin America region.