Modular gas turbines are packaged, factory-built power blocks installed in phases as demand grows. On African sites they shorten construction, simplify logistics and let you match investment to real load, instead of building the whole plant on day one.
Specify before you name an OEM
- Load profile today and in five to ten years.
- Fuel: gas composition, pressure and firmness, plus any liquid backup.
- Site conditions: ambient temperature, altitude and dust.
- Grid: frequency (50 Hz in most of Africa), grid code and island operation.
- Space, access and crane limits for delivery.
- O&M approach and local staffing.
Modular or stick-built?
Modular
Faster on site, factory-tested, easier to transport and repeat. Best when growth is phased or logistics are hard.
Stick-built
Can suit very large single plants with firm long-term demand and good site access.
Match blocks to your growth curve
Mines ramp in phases, industrial parks fill over years and data centres add halls. Modular blocks let you add N+1 capacity at each step. Start with available units from USP&E gas turbine inventory, and plan standard blocks for the later phases.
Honest derates
Heat and altitude reduce turbine output. Your station must be sized to the derated curve at your site, not the nameplate. Controls, paralleling and protection standards should be identical across blocks so every new unit joins cleanly.
Where modular turbines fit
Mining power stations, industrial plants, utility peaking and gap-filling, and data centre campuses are all strong fits. See our guides on mining gas turbine stations and data centre modular power.
FX-45: a standard block for growth
If your load will grow in phases, plan the later blocks now. FX-45 is USP&E’s new modular gas turbine, built for hyperscale and industrial growth: 45 MW in open cycle and 108 MW in a 2×1 combined-cycle block, configurable for 50 Hz or 60 Hz, with capacity slots from 2028.
Start on available equipment today, reserve the pad, interconnection and fuel capacity, and the FX-45 phase plugs in instead of starting over. See FX-45 at a glance.
Why owners choose USP&E
USP&E is a full-service engineering, EPC and O&M company, not a broker. One team designs, builds and runs your plant, so nothing falls between contracts.
Common questions
What are modular gas turbines?
Packaged, factory-built turbine generator sets installed in phases, so capacity grows with demand.
Is 50 Hz or 60 Hz standard in Africa?
Most African grids run at 50 Hz. Some islanded plants and equipment fleets use 60 Hz. FX-45 can be configured for either.
Can we start without firm gas?
Yes, with dual-fuel equipment and a liquid-fuel bridge, as long as the switch to gas is planned from the start.
Who delivers EPC and O&M?
USP&E. One team designs, builds and operates the plant.
Facing a power challenge in Africa?
Tell us your load, fuel and timeline. An engineer will come back with options, not a sales pitch.