Case Study: Centrica achieves grid flexibility and fast-start backup power with Wärtsilä Energy

Centrica adds 100 MW of fast-start grid flexibility with Wärtsilä in under 2 minutes

Centrica, a British multi-national energy company, faced the challenge of balancing the UK electricity grid due to the rapid growth of intermittent renewable energy sources. They needed a quick-responding power supply to prevent blackouts and support the transition to a low-carbon system. To address this, they turned to Wärtsilä for a flexible balancing solution.

Wärtsilä implemented an EPC solution, delivering two 50 MW flexible natural gas power plants. These plants, powered by Wärtsilä 34SG engines, can reach full power in under two minutes to provide stability. The solution provides 100 MW of total electrical output, enough to power approximately 100,000 households, and enables a greater share of renewables while reducing the UK's carbon footprint.

Centrica