The efficiency of Russian turbines is currently lower than the maximum possible on the global market, but such indicators have become a conscious economic choice. This was stated by Ruslan Pakhomov, head of the thermal power division of AO "Silovye Mashiny".
According to him, there are gas turbines on the global market with an efficiency of up to 64%. Such an installation could also be developed in Russia, but then the cost of electricity for consumers would increase manifold.
The cost of production and maintenance of gas turbines operating at 64% efficiency differs significantly from the cost of gas turbines currently in operation in Russia. Our consumers pay 5 times less for electricity than consumers in Norway or the UK.
Pakhomov added that high efficiency is in demand where fuel and electricity are expensive. In such conditions, efficiency becomes a key factor, while on the Russian market, the priority remains the cost of generation.
In addition, new import-substituted turbines in Russia break down more often than old ones. Many power plants, even modernized ones, experience a very high accident rate initially after replacing turbines or boiler equipment.