Mitsubishi Power Systems Americas Inc. has shipped its first commercial M501GAC gas turbine from its Savannah Machinery Works operation in Pooler, Ga., 18 months after the $325 million gas turbine manufacturing and service facility was dedicated.

This marks the first of three M501GAC gas turbines and one steam turbine that will be delivered to Dominion Virginia Power for the Warren County Power Station in Front Royal, Va. The 1,300 megawatt power station will supply electricity for 325,000 homes during peak demand. Earlier this year, MPSA received a second order from Dominion to supply three gas turbines and one steam turbine for the Brunswick County Power Station in Southern Virginia.

Koji Hasegawa, president, Mitsubishi Power Systems Americas Inc., announces that the first turbine built at the MPSA Savannah Machinery Works in Pooler, Ga., will be shipped to Dominion Virginia Power's Warren County Power Station in Front Royal, Va.

A ceremony was held at the Savannah Machinery Works, featuring Mitsubishi and Dominion executives, to commemorate the facility’s first gas turbine shipment. The gas turbine will be rolled out by specialized train cars for delivery to the Warren County Power Station.

Since breaking ground for the Savannah Machinery Works in May 2011, MPSA has completed construction of a gas turbine component manufacturing area, a service and manufacturing center for turbine rotors, generators, and stationary equipment, and a gas turbine assembly area. When fully complete, the facility will total 500,000 square feet and employ over 500 people.

Editor’s Note: Christopher Tate, who writes the “Shop Technology” column for Cutting Tool Engineering, is manufacturing engineering lead for machining at Savannah Machinery Works.

Posted Oct. 10, 2012