GE Vernova announced that the LM6000 gas turbine, included in the GE Vernova LM6000VELOX packaged solution is planned to operate on 100% hydrogen at the Whyalla hydrogen power plant in the Upper Spencer Gulf, South Australia. GE Vernova announced it has secured an order with ATCO Australia for four LM6000VELOX units with commissioning expected in early 2026.

It is projected to mark the first time a GE Vernova power plant project, at commercial scale, is powered by aeroderivative gas turbine combustion technology capable of operating on 100% hydrogen.

GE Vernova’s first-of-its-kind aeroderivative gas turbine solution is capable to be powered by renewable hydrogen generated at the Whyalla complex helping to produce zero CO₂ at the gas turbine exhaust during operation when fueled with 100% renewable hydrogen. The site will include one of the world’s largest hydrogen production and storage plants. When completed, the Whyalla hydrogen facility will utilize South Australia’s surplus renewable energy, generated by large-scale wind and solar farms, to produce renewable hydrogen that will be stored and used to power the four LM6000VELOX units.

Whyalla hydrogen power plant aims to be a new source of flexible power, providing additional grid stability for homes and businesses around the state by utilizing excess renewable energy generated from large-scale wind and solar farms to provide a consistent output of supply. The power plant is expected to deliver a combined capacity of up to 200 megawatts (MW) and to help meet electricity demand while ensuring stability of electricity supply in South Australia’s electricity grid during periods when renewable energy sources are not available or are not meeting full demand.

GE Vernova is a world leader in gas turbine fuel flexibility, including more than 120 gas turbines that have the capacity to operate or currently are operating on fuels that contain hydrogen, producing more than 530 Terawatt-hours of electricity over 8.5 million hours. GE Vernova’s technology portfolio includes integration capabilities of several systems including renewable power (e.g., wind and solar), energy storage, grid systems to transmit and control electricity, as well as power conversion systems to provide electricity that match the electrolyzer requirements.