3328 Guidance on the preservation and recommissioning of existing combined cycle gas turbine (CCGT) plant

Overview:

First-generation combined cycle gas turbine (CCGT) plants, introduced in the early 1990s, have increasingly been displaced by higher-efficiency plants, renewable generation, and evolving market pressures, making many no longer commercially viable.

As a result, several UK CCGT plants have been taken out of service and placed into preservation. The introduction of the UK capacity market in 2014 has enabled preserved plants to return to service, provided they meet strict reliability and response requirements. Effective preservation is therefore essential to prevent deterioration and ensure plants can be safely and rapidly recommissioned within tight timeframes and at minimal cost. However, preservation and recommissioning present technical and operational challenges, particularly as extended outages increase risks such as corrosion, degradation, and equipment seizure.
This publication provides practical guidance on preserving and recommissioning CCGT plants, including updated approaches that reflect longer offline periods driven by increased renewable generation.