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The gas combustion facility is one of the most advanced and efficient in Europe and is suitable for future co-firing with green hydrogen.
October 9, 2025 – ENGIE, a multinational energy and utility company headquartered in France, has signed an agreement with ABB to modernize the automation system of its 900 MW Maxima gas-fired power plant in the Netherlands. The project will future-proof the plant and support long-term decarbonization efforts. ENGIE selected ABB for its strong local presence, migration strategy and operational flexibility.
The proposed migration plan is intended to minimize downtime and enable seamless operations. ABB’s ability to adapt automation system replacement during the ENGIE outage reflects a strong focus on performance and availability, contributing to the success of this important modernization project. This upgrade includes turbine control modernization and cybersecurity enhancements that will help ENGIE build a more cybersecurity and resilient plant. It also lays the foundation for future co-firing with green hydrogen, ensuring reliable operation throughout the facility’s lifecycle.
Located in Lelystad, approximately 70 kilometers north-east of Amsterdam, the Maxima plant is ENGIE’s first gas-fired combined cycle gas turbine plant using GT26 high-efficiency turbine technology, making a significant contribution to the energy supply of the Netherlands and Europe. ABB will modernize both its existing Advant and Alspa distributed control systems (DCS) used in the powertrain and plant, respectively, to the ABBability™ System 800xA. This ensures the plant is fully prepared and equipped to support energy security and meet growing energy demands.
As part of the transformation program, ABB will also upgrade the full range of simulators at the Maxima facility used for optimization, testing and operator training. The simulator allows operators to practice in a safe environment that has the same look and feel as a live control system, increasing safety, productivity and energy efficiency while reducing risk and unplanned shutdowns. This feature not only improves day-to-day reliability, but also supports long-term operational excellence. Other parts of the project include replacing the desalination water facility automation system, installing an ABB Ability Field Information Manager, an extended operator workplace, and OT security measures and safety systems.
This modernization project, along with ENGIE’s broader commitment to clean energy, regulatory compliance and operational flexibility, will support the plant’s evolution into dispatchable, low-carbon generation that can complement solar and wind power. This builds on previous upgrades that increased the combined cycle efficiency of the plant’s gas turbines to more than 60%.
Marco Siebelink, ENGIE Maxima Power Plant Operations and Maintenance Manager, said: “By leveraging ABB’s automation technology and expertise, we are taking an important step towards ensuring our infrastructure can support flexible, low-carbon power generation while providing a secure supply.”
The modernization of the Máxima power plant is in line with the Dutch government’s policy to support green hydrogen and contributes to ENGIE’s ambitions for co-firing with green hydrogen in the future.
“The power industry is challenged to meet today’s energy demands while preparing the energy ecosystem of the future,” said Per Erik Holsten, President of ABB’s Energy Industries Division. “Our role is to provide automation technologies and solutions that make this dual challenge achievable and help customers modernize to achieve their long-term goals without compromising the reliability of their current output.”
The contract scope also includes a three-year service agreement to ensure ongoing support and maintenance. Execution of the project in 2027 will also require close collaboration with the original manufacturer of the plant’s gas turbines to ensure modernization of the turbine control system to provide continued performance.
About ABB
ABB is a global technology leader in electrification and automation, enabling a more sustainable and resource-efficient future. By combining engineering and digitalization expertise, ABB helps industries operate at high performance while becoming more efficient, productive, sustainable and performing better. At ABB, we call this “Engineered to Outrun.” The company has been around for more than 140 years and has approximately 110,000 employees worldwide. ABB’s shares are listed on the Swiss SIX Exchange (ABBN) and Nasdaq Stockholm (ABB).
About ABB Process Automation
ABB’s Process Automation business automates, electrifies and digitizes industrial operations for a wide range of essential needs, from the supply of energy, water and materials to the production and transportation of goods to market. With around 20,000 employees and cutting-edge technology and service expertise, ABB Process Automation helps process, hybrid and maritime industries become more efficient and cleaner. go.abb/
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