Combined cycle |
Why service is becoming the strategic value driver for Europe’s CCGT fleet
With gas-fired power plants increasingly being seen as reliable, flexible and dispatchable assets deployed in support of renewable energy expansion, efficiency and reliability upgrades for gas turbines are attracting increasing attention. In a number of cases, upgrades and enhanced maintenance programmes applied to existing ageing gas turbines can provide a more cost-effective route to increased dispatchable capacity than investing in new generation assets
Enrique Rodriguez Head of Service EMEA, Mitsubishi Power
Europe’s power sector is changing very quickly and entering a new phase of transformation, driven by the rapid expansion of renewable energy and growing investment in wind, solar, battery storage, and grid infrastructure. As more variable generation comes online, electricity systems have become precariously complex, requiring greater flexibility to balance fluctuations in supply and demand while maintaining reliability. As a result, the industry is looking towards flexible thermal assets to maintain grid stability and ensure secure, dispatchable power remains available when it is needed most. This is why combined cycle gas turbines (CCGTs) are back in the spotlight. In truth, they never really left. Europe has long been a mature gas turbine market, with many CCGT plants operating for more than two decades. Yet rather than being phased out, these assets have proven their enduring value, becoming an integral part of the energy mix— particularly during periods of low renewable output or peak demand.
As the role of thermal generation evolves, the conversation around CCGTs is also changing. The focus today is not simply on building
new capacity, but on how existing assets can operate more efficiently, flexibly, and reliably for longer. This shift is elevating the importance of service, maintenance, and lifecycle optimisation across the sector.
At the same time, gas-fired plants are now required to operate under far more dynamic conditions than in the past. Instead of running continuously at stable output, many plants cycle more frequently, respond more rapidly to changing grid conditions, and operate alongside growing shares of renewable energy and battery storage. This places additional strain on equipment and fundamentally reshapes the economics of plant operation.
Service can no longer be viewed simply as a technical requirement. Increasingly, it is becoming a strategic tool for improving competitiveness, preserving dispatchable capacity, and supporting long-term asset value.
Building a service strategy based on plant priorities
This is why manufacturers are working ever more closely with power plant partners – to develop strategies that support output, ensure
compliance with emissions requirements, and extend asset longevity. However, no two plants operate under identical conditions, so any effective strategy must begin with a clear understanding of the plant’s commercial role, technical condition, operating profile and investment horizon.
Some operators may expect an asset to remain in service for only a few more years, while others see long-term value over several decades. Some plants continue to operate primarily as baseload generation, while others are increasingly relied upon to balance intermittent renewable energy. These differences play a significant role in shaping maintenance planning, investment decisions, and upgrade priorities. Reliability is often the starting point. In competitive electricity markets, plant availability directly affects dispatchability and revenue generation. In some cases, reliability targets are not simply operational goals, but contractual obligations tied to service agreements and market commitments.
However, reliability alone is no longer sufficient. A plant may operate consistently yet still struggle commercially if it cannot compete effectively in the market. Efficiency and operational flexibility have become equally important considerations. Faster start-up times, lower fuel consumption, and improved responsiveness to grid signals can all have an influence on whether a plant is dispatched.
Reinforcing the value of planning This shift is reshaping how operators approach CCGT services. Traditional fixed maintenance schedules are now being complemented by more flexible and condition-based approaches that better reflect real-world operating patterns and market requirements.
VPI’s Damhead Creek combined cycle power plant. Photo: VPI 28 | May/June 2026 |
www.modernpowersystems.com
Close collaboration between OEMs and plant operators has become essential to the long-term success of service programmes. Continuous dialogue helps ensure that decisions are aligned with the asset’s commercial role and technical condition, rather than relying on assumptions or standardised service models. In many cases, this involves regular engagement between technical teams, operational staff, and service providers to
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