GE Vernova’s $27.4m investment in S’pore gas-turbine repair plant to create 100 jobs
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GE Vernova said the new job opportunities will include roles for engineers, specialists and skilled operators in the next five years.
PHOTO: AFP
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SINGAPORE - GE Vernova will invest US$20 million (S$27.4 million) to expand its GE Repair Solutions Singapore (GRSS) facility, creating more than 100 new job opportunities, the US-based global power giant said on Jan 6.
The company said the investment will significantly increase GRSS’ capacity to repair the fast-growing fleet of GE Vernova’s (GEV) advanced high-efficiency, air-cooled (HA) gas turbines in Asia and elsewhere.
With about 25 per cent of the world’s electricity generated by its customers, the company claims to be uniquely positioned to lead the energy transition and solve the energy “trilemma” of reliability, affordability and sustainability.
GEV has more than 7,000 gas turbines installed worldwide, including some of the largest and most efficient ones such as the HA turbines, which are capable of running on blends of hydrogen and natural gas – resulting in lower emissions than using natural gas alone.
“As Asia increasingly shifts from coal-fired power generation to cleaner energy sources, GEV’s advanced HA gas turbines will help support this crucial transition, complementing renewable energy sources,” the company said in a statement.
GEV said the new job opportunities created at GRSS will include roles for engineers, specialists and skilled operators in the next five years.
“This expansion will also drive continued innovation in HA repair technology, strengthening Singapore’s energy landscape and fostering local talent in advanced repair and maintenance solutions,” it said.
The expanded GRSS will further consolidate Singapore’s status as a global energy hub.
“This investment solidifies GRSS’ position as the first HA repair development centre outside the US, and one of only three heavy-duty rotor service centres globally.
“It further cements Singapore’s critical role as a leader in energy innovation and repair capabilities, supporting GEV’s global customers,” the company said.
The latest expansion of GRSS builds on previous investments – including the 2019 announcement to invest up to US$60 million over 10 years to make the global repair service centre in Singapore a world leader in power generation technology development, implementation and repairs.
“This latest funding brings GEV’s total investment in GRSS to nearly US$100 million over the past six years, positioning the facility to serve customers well into 2030 and beyond,” the company said.
The gas turbine market is booming worldwide, spurred by the shift away from burning coal and oil, and the need to ensure continuity of electricity supply on dark and windless days when solar panels and wind turbines would power down.
The Paris-based International Energy Agency (IEA) estimated that electricity use grew at twice the pace of overall energy demand over the last decade.
In 2025, electricity use is expected to be six times that of 2024, thanks to the growing uptake of electric vehicles, rising need for air-conditioning, new semiconductor plants, and the boom in data centres to enable artificial intelligence, IEA said.
Companies like GEV are likely to benefit from the soaring power demand trends. The company expects to book 20GW of global gas turbine orders in each of the next four years, GEV chief executive Scott Strazik said in an interview with Bloomberg in December 2024.
Mr Strazik said then that in the previous 30 days alone, the company has signed 9GW of reservations for gas turbines from customers including data centre developers.
Ovais Subhani is senior business correspondent at The Straits Times. He writes stories that demystify the latest economics, trade and finance news. He also covers key Singapore industries such as semiconductors and energy.
