ENKA and GE Vernova announced on May 12 the start of commercial operations at the Kırklareli power plant, an 852 megawatt facility located about 20 miles from the Bulgarian border in Türkiye. This is the first plant in Türkiye to use HA technology, marking a milestone in modernizing the country’s power generation.
The launch of this facility is significant as it aims to strengthen Türkiye’s electricity supply with more efficient and flexible generation. The project includes a multi-year agreement for GE Vernova to provide long-term maintenance services, which are expected to improve asset visibility, reliability, and availability.
Mehmet Tara, Chairman of the Board and President of ENKA, said: “With the successful commissioning of the Kirklareli power plant, ENKA has achieved a significant milestone, strengthening its position as both investor, EPC contractor, and operator of one of Türkiye’s most efficient combined cycle facilities. By delivering flexible, high-efficiency power to the national grid, this project reflects ENKA’s nearly 70 years of engineering heritage, the depth of our in-house capabilities — from design to commissioning — and our long-term commitment to supporting Türkiye’s growing electricity needs with efficient, reliable, and flexible generation.”
The Kırklareli facility uses GE Vernova’s combined-cycle equipment including a 9HA.02 gas turbine with H78 generator and an STF-D650 steam turbine. All engineering and construction were completed by ENKA teams over three years totaling about eight million person-hours. The new plant is expected to achieve over 63% net efficiency in combined-cycle mode.
Joseph Anis, President & CEO for GE Vernova’s Gas Power business in Europe, Middle East & Africa said: “As Türkiye prepares to host COP31, this project highlights the important role that advanced, high-efficiency power generation technologies can play in strengthening energy security while enhancing grid reliability. Kırklareli’s entry into commercial operation marks an important step in our collaboration with ENKA and in bringing GE Vernova’s HA technology to Türkiye for the first time. We are proud to support the country’s energy transition with technology that can help power growth, strengthen infrastructure, and contribute to long-term economic development.”
GE Vernova reports it has supported Türkiye’s energy infrastructure for more than 75 years across various technologies including gas power as well as wind and solar initiatives.
