State Power Investment Corporation Limited (SPIC) and Ansaldo Energia of Italy inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on July 20 in Beijing to confirm intention of technology collaboration in the field of heavy-duty gas turbines.

Qian Zhimin, Chairman of the Board of SPIC, and Giuseppe Zampini, CEO of Ansaldo Energia, signed the MoU in Beijing.

The MoU defines scope and principles of cooperation between the two companies. Under the MoU, Ansaldo Energia intends to support SPIC to conduct research and development for heavy-duty gas turbines and provide training and technical consultation for SPIC. The signing will expedite finalization of a technology cooperation agreement in the near future.

In meeting with Giuseppe Zampini before the signing, Qian Zhimin said, “SPIC is actively developing and implementing the China Heavy Duty Gas Turbine program. The collaboration with Ansaldo Energia and other multinational gas turbine companies will accelerate the progress of the program. I hope SPIC and Ansaldo Energia will extend their cooperation to all aspects of clean energy in the future and reap mutual benefits for both sides.”

"Ansaldo, as a major equipment provider, has been maintaining stable cooperation with SPIC since the construction of Sanmen nuclear power plant. The technology cooperation with SPIC on heavy-duty gas turbines will be another milestone in the long-term relationship of Ansaldo with China,” said Zampini. “The cooperation will help Ansaldo expand its business in the Chinese market. I hope both Ansaldo and SPIC will further deepen mutual trust as well as create more opportunities.”

China is one of the world’s most important markets for large gas turbines and is expected to intensify its investment in large gas turbine technology.