Eneva, the largest private natural gas operator in Brazil, and GE Vernova have begun commercial operations at the 295MW Azulรฃo I thermal power plant in Brazil’s Amazonas state, completing the first phase of the wider Azulรฃo gas power complex. The facility has been contracted to supply firm and dispatchable electricity to Brazil’s National Interconnected System (SIN) for 15 years, adding generation capacity designed to strengthen reliability and flexibility as the country’s power system incorporates increasing volumes of variable renewable generation. Located in Silves, about 330km from Manaus, Azulรฃo I is the first of two planned power stations at the complex, which is expected to reach a combined capacity of up to 950MW when Azulรฃo II enters commercial operation, currently scheduled for July 2027.
The Brazil gas plant uses GE Vernova’s 7HA.02 H-Class gas turbine paired with an H65 generator. The technology is designed to combine high-efficiency electricity generation with load-following capabilities, allowing the plant to respond to changes in electricity demand and renewable power output. Eneva and GE Vernova have also incorporated grid-stabilisation equipment to address the technical requirements of connecting the facility to the Tucuruรญ-Macapรก-Manaus transmission corridor, which spans around 1,850km. A custom-engineered sub-synchronous resonance (SSR) blocking filter and torsional stress relay solution were implemented to support reliable operation alongside the high-voltage transmission system. GE Vernova has additionally secured a 15-year service agreement covering maintenance and operational availability.
The project also uses Eneva’s Reservoir-to-Wire (R2W) model, which links natural gas production with electricity generation at the source. The company said the approach supports the development of generation infrastructure in the region. The wider Azulรฃo complex is expected to reach up to 950MW of combined output once Azulรฃo II is operational. According to the source, the completed complex will be capable of supplying enough electricity to power around four million Brazilian homes. Rafael Coitinho, engineering, construction and assembling director at Eneva, said: โThe start of commercial operations at Azulรฃo I represents the realisation of one of our most significant projects. “This development demonstrates our ability to structure and execute large-scale strategic investments, even in highly complex logistical and operational environments.โ
Brazil’s expanding wind and solar generation is increasing the importance of dispatchable power that can respond when variable renewable output changes. The country’s Ten-Year Energy Expansion Plan projects that renewables will account for more than 85% of electricity generation by 2035. Marco Vera, VP of New Units for GE Vernova’s Gas Power business in Latin America, said: โAzulรฃo is the ultimate expression of our comprehensive portfolio strength. “By integrating our advanced gas-powered technology with specialised grid-stabilisation solutions and long-term maintenance services, we have proven that we can deploy high-efficiency power in even the most complex transmission environments.โ Azulรฃo II, which will add a further 590MW through a combined-cycle configuration, is scheduled to enter commercial operation in July 2027, taking the Brazil gas plant complex toward its planned 950MW capacity.