Leading the energy transition

Wärtsilä 46TS engine provides improved output and efficiency to save fuel and costs, with future proof technology that can run on sustainable fuels

Wärtsilä Corporation, Press Release, 10 February 2025 at 9 AM EET

Technology group Wärtsilä launches today its next generation 46TS engine, which is designed to balance renewable energy, provide highly efficient baseload power, and can run on sustainable fuels in future.

The Wärtsilä 46TS large-bore engine has evolved from a long line of proven and reliable power plant engines, including the Wärtsilä 50 engine platform. The W50 engine is one of the world’s most successful power generating engines of all time, having delivered 55 million running hours around the world since 2008.

Using balancing engines to support intermittent renewables is a more viable path towards a net zero power system than a renewables-only pathway. Balancing power can reduce costs, emissions, and land use, as revealed in Wärtsilä’s recent global power system modelling report, Crossroads to Net Zero, which detailed the vital role of balancing power in delivering the energy transition.

Vietnam has already recognized the need for flexible technologies to support the integration of renewable energy, as reflected in the country’s 8th Power Development Plan (PDP8). The plan approved in 2023 initially aimed to add 300 MW of flexible generation by 2030, with a significant increase to 46,200 MW by 2050. However, in early February 2025, the first draft to revise the PDP8 has proposed to increase the flexible generation from 300 MW to 3,000 MW by 2030, further emphasizing the importance of flexibility in the power system to meet the country's net zero target.

Anders Lindberg, President of Wärtsilä Energy, says: “The energy transition cannot be achieved by renewable power alone – we need flexible, highly efficient engines to support wind and solar power during times of low generation. The flexible 46TS engine offers exactly that, expanding our existing technology offering to balance renewables and operate cost- effectively on baseload power.

“This engine is built on our 85 years of engine expertise, incorporating everything we have learned to develop our latest and greatest solution.”

The Wärtsilä 46TS is designed with sustainable fuels in mind, to ensure that when they become readily available, these engines can play an essential role in delivering 100% renewable power systems.

The engine provides a myriad of benefits for power producers, including:

• Next level efficiency and performance: Significantly improved over 51% engine efficiency saves fuel and reduces emissions, with excellent performance in extreme ambient conditions and at high altitudes.
• Improved output: The 46TS generates 23.4 MW/unit, meaning that fewer engines are needed to achieve large plant sizes.
• Greater flexibility: Rapid response to fluctuations with even faster ramp-up time (2 minutes) and no minimum up- or down-time requirements.
• Fast and cost-efficient installation: Fast and easy modular plant installation with high-quality, factory-tested modules bringing significant savings in total installed cost.

To support the W46TS, Wärtsilä provides tailored high-quality services to maximise reliability and profitability. Wärtsilä Lifecycle services, with optimised operations and guaranteed performance, ensure the power plant's performance and competitiveness. A technical service network provides expertise and support near customer and via remote monitoring.

The Wärtsilä 46TS engine will be available from 2025. Last month, Wärtsilä announced the first order for the 46TS engines placed by Kazakhstan Caspian Offshore Industries (KCOI). The engines will support KCOI's new 120 MW power plant and additionally, the first hybrid power project of its kind in Kazakhstan, which integrates the engine power plant with wind and solar power.

Media kit 

Media contact:

Katri Pehkonen
Communications Manager
Wärtsilä Energy
Mob: +358 50 591 6180
katri.pehkonen@wartsila.com

Image caption: Wärtsilä launches its next generation 46TS engine, which is designed to balance renewable energy, provide highly efficient baseload power, and can run on sustainable fuels in future. © Wärtsilä

All Wärtsilä releases are available at www.wartsila.com/media/news-releases and at news.cision.com/wartsila-corporation where also the images can be downloaded. Use of the image(s) is allowed only in connection with the contents of this press release. Wärtsilä images are available at www.wartsila.com/media/image-bank.

Wärtsilä Energy in brief

Wärtsilä Energy is at the forefront of the transition towards a 100% renewable energy future. We help our customers and the power sector to accelerate their decarbonisation journeys through our market-leading technologies and power system expertise. Our solutions include flexible engine power plants, energy storage and optimisation technology, and services for the whole lifecycle of our installations. Our engines are future-proof and can run on sustainable fuels. Our track record comprises of 79 GW delivered power plant capacity and over 130 energy storage systems in 180 countries around the world. Over 30% of our operating installed base is under service agreements.

www.wartsila.com/energy  

Wärtsilä in brief

Wärtsilä is a global leader in innovative technologies and lifecycle solutions for the marine and energy markets. We emphasise innovation in sustainable technology and services to help our customers continuously improve environmental and economic performance. Our dedicated and passionate team of 17,800 professionals in more than 280 locations in 79 countries shape the decarbonisation transformation of our industries across the globe. In 2023, Wärtsilä’s net sales totalled EUR 6.0 billion. Wärtsilä is listed on Nasdaq Helsinki.

www.wartsila.com