Operation & maintenance |
Predictive maintenance: how it’s disrupting the power business
A new report* from GlobalData, parent company of Modern Power Systems, takes an in-depth and comprehensive look at the use of predictive maintenance (PdM) in the power sector. It notes that predictive maintenance is becoming a central driver of operational optimisation, with its use of Internet of Things (IoT) sensor data to detect equipment issues early and schedule repairs before failures occur. It also reduces costs by avoiding unnecessary work, preventing major damage, and enabling more efficient planning of crews and parts, especially for remote renewable energy sites where access is expensive. In the report, GlobalData provides an insight into the growing demand for predictive maintenance
and how it is disrupting the power industry. Predictive maintenance is key to reliable grids and more renewables, concludes GlobalData. As wind and solar generating capacity grows, early detection of impending equipment issues – with consequent reduction in forced outages and downtime – is becoming increasingly important, says GlobalData, because the grid depends on many distributed assets operating reliably. Predictive maintenance helps keep them available, reduces curtailment, and supports smoother renewable integration. GlobalData says power companies are using predictive maintenance as a core component under the broader umbrella of
asset performance management to improve the reliability of power assets while integrating more renewables. Artificial intelligence and machine learning are powering predictive maintenance continuously through sensor data to identify anomalies and anticipate equipment failures before they occur, the report suggests. One of many examples mentioned in the report: using artificial intelligence/machine learning with dissolved gas analysis and oil temperature data, utilities can detect transformer problems and prevent them.
*Predictive maintenance in power, GlobalData Strategic Intelligence, GDPE-TR-S090, 10 August 2026
Life extension in Egypt
GE Vernova has announced a services agreement to provide rotor life extension (RLE) for five GE Vernova 9F gas turbines at the Kureimat, Nubaria, and Cairo North power plants in Egypt. The agreement is with affiliates of the Egyptian Electricity Holding Company (EEHC): Upper Egypt Electricity Production Company (UEEPC); Middle Delta Electricity Production Company (MDEPC); and Cairo Electricity Production Company (CEPC).
GE Vernova 9F gas turbine. Image: GE Vernova
Under the agreement, GE Vernova is expected to help extend the operating life of the five gas turbines – representing a total capacity of about 1250 MW – by 13 to 15 years. The relevant services will be executed between 2028 and 2035. “This agreement reflects EEHC’s continued focus on preserving the long-term performance and reliability of important generation assets across our fleet,” said Eng. Gaber El-Desouki, Chairman of the Board of Directors & CEO, Egyptian Electricity Holding Company (EEHC).
“Extending the life of these gas turbines across our generation companies is expected to support grid stability and the continued availability of dispatchable power, while helping us increase the value of existing infrastructure and avoid premature, capital-intensive replacement,” said Eng. Mahmoud Al-Naqeeb, Full-time Board Member for Electricity Production Companies Affairs. Egypt’s power sector is undergoing a significant transformation balancing the need to meet rapidly rising energy demand with an ambitious drive to enhance
operational efficiency and integrate a growing share of renewable energy. Fossil fuelled generation — primarily combined cycle — nevertheless continues to serve as the backbone of the nation’s grid, currently accounting for about 80% of electricity production. “As Egypt’s electricity needs continue to evolve, maintaining and modernising existing gas power assets, such as those at Kureimat, Nubaria, and Cairo North, is essential to support reliability, improve fuel use, and strengthen energy system resilience,” said Joseph Anis, President & CEO, Europe, Middle East & Africa, GE Vernova’s Gas Power business. GE Vernova says the new agreement builds on its ongoing efforts to support the modernisation and long-term performance of Egypt’s power generation fleet. In April 2026, GE Vernova announced an order from MDEPC to support modernisation efforts at the Banha and Nubaria power plants, including Advanced Gas Path upgrades and multiyear services agreements.
Long-term agreement provides proactive support to US power plant
Goodman Energy Center, Hays, Kansas. Photo © Midwest Energy.
Wärtsilä has signed a ten-year optimised maintenance agreement with Midwest Energy, a customer-owned co-operative, located in Hays, Kansas, USA. The agreement covers the 104 MW Goodman Energy Center, which employs natural-gas fuelled Wärtsilä 34SG engines. The plant primarily serves as a flexible balancing power plant, responding to fluctuations in load and non-dispatchable generation, to support the regional power grid. Wärtsilä will provide field services, remote support, and control system patching. Also included is Expert Insight, Wärtsilä’s digital
34 | October 2026 |
www.modernpowersystems.com
predictive maintenance offering, which enables customer support to be delivered proactively by Wärtsilä Expertise Centres.
34SG piston engine. Image: Wärtsilä
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