Mitsubishi Heavy Industries of Japan and US aircraft and aeroderivative gas turbine producer Pratt & Whitney are planning to combine forces to produce gas turbines for power generation, in particular the fast growing CCGT market. The first step, later this year, will be to start joint development of a midsize gas turbine in the 40 to 200 MW range.
The global market for turbines in this size range is estimated at around $3 billion annually. The two companies are aiming at a 20 per cent share of that. There is also a possibility MHI and Pratt & Whitney will expand their joint venture to the manufacture of small and large gas turbines if the proposed project is a success.
To date, Pratt & Whitney have concentrated on the production of small turbines (up to 30 MW) while Mitsubishi has made its reputation in the 200 MW plus field. The two companies believe that by combining their different strengths they can develop a high efficiency gas turbine for the CCGT market.
