Ansaldo, plant in Switzerland will operate as the country's reserve energy source

Thanks to an agreement with the Swiss authorities, Ansaldo Energia's gas turbine test plant in Birr, Switzerland (in the Brugg district) will be able to operate as a reserve power source. It will therefore be at the forefront in supporting the security of the country's electricity system, thanks to its qualification to operate as a strategic reserve power source during critical winter periods. This was announced by the Genoese company, while Swiss market sources reveal that the project is worth more than EUR 200 million.

"The additional capacity of the plant," Ansaldo's engineers explain, "will provide a reliable safeguard for Switzerland's electricity supply until the new dedicated back-up plants become fully operational in the future. Powered by a Gt26 gas turbine, the plant will come into operation, as a reserve, from February 2027 and will be able to deliver a power output of 250 megawatts.

The initiative, the engineers go on to clarify, 'marks a new chapter for Ansaldo Energia's Birr site, which has long been a reference point for innovation, validation of advanced gas turbine technologies, and the continuous improvement of performance, emissions and fuel flexibility.

Enabling the Birr test plant to provide reserve power capacity, 'represents a concrete response,' says Reto Furrer, executive vice president Thermal service at Ansaldo, 'to Switzerland's energy security needs. Leveraging our experience and Gt26 technology, we offer an immediate and reliable solution to guarantee the continuity of supply until the new back-up plants come on stream. It is a tangible example of the company's commitment to sustainable and secure energy solutions.