ABB Future-Proofs ENGIE's Maxima Plant for Hydrogen and Digital Security

Securing Reliable Power through Strategic Modernization

In a strategic move to ensure energy security and support decarbonization, ENGIE, a multinational energy company, has awarded ABB a significant modernization project.
The project targets ENGIE's 900 MW Maxima gas-fired power plant in the Netherlands' automation systems.
ENGIE selected ABB specifically because of its strong local presence, its well-proven migration strategy, and its proven operational flexibility.
This project, therefore, will future-proof the plant for decades to come.

Minimizing Downtime through State-of-the-Art Technology

At the core of this project lies a strategic upgrade that will minimize operational disruption to a bare minimum.
ABB's carefully planned migration strategy is aiming for trouble-free operations, customizing the replacement of the automation systems to ENGIE's narrow outage windows.
This sharp focus on performance and availability is one of the keys to success.
The modernization itself is extensive; it includes critical turbine control upgrades and a major increase in cyber security.
As a result, this project helps ENGIE create a stronger and more cyber-secure plant, as well as the required basis for future co-firing with green hydrogen—a vital step toward low-carbon electricity generation.

A Single Platform for Better Performance

The Maxima plant, located near Amsterdam, is ENGIE's first combined cycle gas turbine plant to use high-efficiency GT26 turbine technology, and is an important part of Dutch and European energy supplies.
ABB will replace the existing Advant and Alspa distributed control systems (DCS)—one for the power train and one for the plant itself—with the integrated ABB Ability™ System 800xA.
This significant upgrade positions the facility to be ready to play its part in energy security and supply increasing energy demands.
The agreement also includes a three-year service contract to provide continuity of support, with implementation of the project set for 2027.

Training and Digital Excellence

As part of this extensive revamp, ABB will also upgrade the Maxima plant's full scope simulator.
The simulator is a critical tool and is used for optimization, testing, and training of operators.
The simulator allows operators to train in a safe environment that duplicates the live control system, thereby reducing risks and preventing unexpected shutdowns.
In addition, this facility enhances day-to-day reliability and long-term operational excellence.
Other project deliverables include a new automation system for the demineralized water installation, ABB Ability Field Information Manager, an Extended Operator Workplace, new OT security functions, and updated safety systems.

Commitment to the Clean Energy Future

This modernization project is part of the plant's evolution towards dispatchable, low-carbon power generation that can be used to balance the intermittency of solar and wind power.
Marco Siebelink, Operations and Maintenance Manager at ENGIE Maxima, highlighted this necessity: "It's essential that our existing assets are modified to be future-proof and reliable in the evolving energy landscape."
Furthermore, this project is a continuation of previous upgrading that already increased the plant's combined cycle efficiency by more than 60%.
By backing the Dutch government's quest for green hydrogen, the partnership between ABB and ENGIE is a strong signal of both companies' determination to build the energy system of the future.

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