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MGT-75 Gas Turbine: A Fully Iranian F-Class Innovation by MAPNA Group
A Major Stride in Iran’s Power Industry
A Major Stride in Iran’s Power Industry
The power industry, as a critical infrastructure of any country, has always been a focal point of attention. Among its core elements, gas turbines serve as the beating heart of power plants, playing a pivotal role in electricity generation. Given the strategic importance of energy and the ever-growing demand for reliable and efficient power production, the development of indigenous technologies in this field holds exceptional significance—especially in an era where the term “energy imbalance” has become a key concern for policymakers.

MAPNA Group, a leader in Iran’s power plant industry, has made significant strides in advancing gas turbine technology. One of its most notable achievements is the successful design and production of the MGT-75, an F-class gas turbine, entirely developed within the country.
MGT-75: The First Fully Iranian F-Class Gas Turbine
This landmark achievement, according to Abbas Fakhr Tabatabaei, Product Development Manager at MAPNA Turbine Engineering and Manufacturing Company (TUGA) and Director of the F-Class Turbine Development Project at MAPNA Group, underscores the exceptional capabilities of Iranian experts in mastering advanced and complex technologies.
In this article, based on an interview with Mr. Tabatabaei, we will delve into various aspects of this remarkable accomplishment, including the unique features of F-class turbines, particularly the MGT-75 model, the advantages of using this turbine in power plants across the country, the challenges encountered, and the future outlook for this technology within MAPNA Group
An Overview of MAPNA’s Gas Turbine Products
Gas turbines are critical and versatile tools in the energy portfolio of nations due to their wide range of applications, from electricity generation to mechanical energy transmission in the oil and gas industry.
These turbines offer technological advantages, particularly in energy production and fuel efficiency. To fully grasp their significance, one can compare the capabilities and models produced by international companies.
At MAPNA Group, the journey toward acquiring the knowledge and technology to manufacture gas turbines began in the early 2000s. This initiative was driven by the extensive applications of gas turbines and their associated equipment in various energy sectors, including power generation and oil and gas industries. These turbines are utilized for electricity production as well as for generating mechanical energy to operate compressors, pumps, and other industrial equipment.
In developed nations, the technology to design and manufacture gas turbines is considered a benchmark of industrial progress. This technology is a priority for developing countries, making it particularly valuable in a resource-rich and strategically located country like Iran.
Challenges in the Global Gas Turbine Industry
Gas turbine technology, due to its technical complexity and strategic importance, remains confined to a handful of advanced countries. This technology has primarily developed through the transfer of knowledge from the aerospace sector to land-based applications. Economic and political considerations have further limited the global landscape to a small number of companies that provide gas turbine products and solutions.
Development of Gas Turbine Technology in Iran
As noted earlier, the transfer of gas turbine manufacturing technology from leading companies like Siemens began in the early 2000s. Within a decade, MAPNA Group achieved technological independence through rigorous engineering and production efforts.
In its second decade, MAPNA focused on research and development, advancing technical expertise, and designing indigenous products. A key achievement during this period was the development and enhancement of E-class gas turbines, which not only advanced domestic technology but also enabled the technical upgrading of the country’s existing turbines.
Role of Knowledge-Based Collaborations at MAPNA
One of the critical success factors in this journey was MAPNA’s collaboration with universities and domestic knowledge-based companies. These partnerships fostered indigenous technological development and bolstered confidence in local capabilities. Additionally, the validation of these technologies was carried out in operational and field conditions.
Technological Maturity and Domestic Capabilities at MAPNA
In 2017, MAPNA successfully commissioned and tested an upgraded, domestically developed E-class gas turbine at Parand Combined Cycle Power Plant. This milestone demonstrated the technological maturity and internal capabilities of MAPNA in this domain, marking a significant step toward independence in E-class gas turbine technology.
According to Tabatabaei, the earlier E-class turbines produced approximately 157 MW of power with an efficiency of 34.5%. Through advanced engineering and precise field evaluations, MAPNA increased this output to 185 MW with an efficiency of 36%.
“During this period, a strategic roadmap for heavy-duty gas turbines and power plant services in Iran was being drafted under the Ministry of Energy and Niroo Research Institute, with contributions from key industry players. This roadmap, developed with input from prominent officials, TUGA’s senior technology managers, and academic institutions, aimed to achieve F-class gas turbine technology by 2025,” he said.
Building on the completion of the E-class turbine upgrade project in 2017, MAPNA initiated efforts aligned with this strategic roadmap. These efforts culminated in the development of the MGT-75, an F-class gas turbine with a capacity of 222 MW. The MGT-75 was designed to meet Iran’s domestic needs while also being competitive in export markets. Tailored to Iran’s climatic conditions, fuel diversity, and operational requirements, the turbine was optimized and supported by a domestically developed supply chain, mitigating technology-related risks and reinforcing MAPNA’s position in the global energy market.
Classification of Gas Turbines
Gas turbines are categorized into several classes, including E, F, and H, as well as newer classes such as G, H-A, and H-L, introduced by certain manufacturers.
These classes are defined based on reliability, efficiency, and power output, incorporating varying levels of advanced technologies in aerodynamic design, cooling systems, materials, manufacturing methods, process controls, and operational flexibility.
By March 2024, the total installed nominal power generation capacity in Iran had reached approximately 92,000 MW, encompassing renewable, combined-cycle, gas, and steam power plants. Of this capacity, gas turbines account for roughly 50%, representing a significant share of the country’s energy supply.
Currently, gas turbines contribute about 48,000–50,000 MW to the national power grid’s nominal capacity. However, the majority of these turbines are based on E-class or older technologies, which are less efficient. Advanced-class turbines constitute only about 5% of the grid’s nominal capacity.
According to Tabatabaei, only 5,000 MW of Iran’s 50,000 MW of gas turbine capacity comes from F-class turbines, which are relatively newer. In other words, only one-tenth of this capacity utilizes advanced technology. “To address this gap, MAPNA is actively working on the commercialization and market introduction of its new F-class turbine,” he said.
If, over the next five years, the installed nominal capacity of F-class turbines is doubled from the current 5,000 MW to approximately 10,000 MW, this increase could have a significant impact on mitigating the energy imbalance and reducing fuel consumption in power plants, noted the expert.
“If these new turbines are operated in a simple cycle, the country could save approximately 1 billion cubic meters of natural gas. If the capacity is integrated into combined-cycle operations, fuel savings could rise to nearly 4 billion cubic meters. These savings would not only lower energy costs but also contribute significantly to reducing environmental damage by decreasing greenhouse gas emissions,” added Tabatabaei
Impact of Economic Policies on Gas Turbine Development
Access to tailored financing, such as low-interest long-term loans or foreign financial resources, remains one of the key challenges hindering the development of advanced power plants based on F-class turbines in Iran.
Additionally, government fuel subsidies in the power generation sector have diminished the economic value of efficiency in power plants, reducing the appeal of investing in high-efficiency technologies like advanced gas turbines.
Investment in these technologies requires clear and comprehensive policies, as their development entails significant costs with a delayed return on investment. For instance, constructing and commissioning a power plant takes approximately 18 months for a simple cycle and 36 months for a combined cycle, noted the expert.
The role of the government and policymakers is critical in fostering investor incentives, reducing bureaucratic barriers, and ensuring financial support for such ventures. Industry players must also provide innovative solutions to address infrastructural challenges and contribute to the country’s energy sector advancement.
Fuel savings or the use of alternative fuels in power plants only demonstrate their full economic value when redirected to other sectors, such as industry or export. This approach ensures optimal energy resource utilization by channeling energy from power generation to domestic or industrial applications.
F-class turbines offer significant technological advantages, including high efficiency and reduced emissions.
Some newspapers have made calls to introduce diverse fuel options, such as flare gas, for power generation. However, Tabatabaei says unconventional fuels like flare gas, while inexpensive, have drawbacks, including low calorific value and high levels of pollutants. “These issues can reduce the lifespan of sensitive turbine components, particularly in hot sections, and increase maintenance costs.”
Flare gas, due to its physical and chemical properties, is more suitable for smaller, lower-efficiency turbines often used in industrial projects or local power generation. In such cases, fuel cost and reliability outweigh efficiency concerns. Conversely, large and advanced turbines, like F-class models, rarely use unconventional fuels, as the necessary upstream infrastructure is complex and may not be economically viable.
Ultimately, the economic value of fuel and its allocation to other areas such as exports, industries, or household consumption is a key strategy in energy resource management. This approach can help optimize the use of low-cost or lower-value fuels, such as flare gas or alternative fuels like LPG or kerosene, in small-scale and industrial power plants. Meanwhile, large and advanced turbines are utilized to maximize efficiency with natural gas or higher-quality fuels.
Maintenance Costs for F-Class Gas Turbines
Tabatabaei also discussed the varying costs associated with maintaining F-class gas turbines. He explained that maintenance regimes differ based on operational conditions and fall into two categories. “One operating on a 25,000-hour cycle and the other on a 33,000-hour cycle. These maintenance regimes apply to various turbine classes and are further divided into four categories: minor inspections, hot path inspections, major overhauls, and life extension (LTE) overhauls.”
Typically, after approximately 100,000 operational hours, a comprehensive maintenance cycle is conducted to extend the turbine’s lifespan. This involves replacing more components than a standard overhaul. Maintenance intervals are divided into milestones of 25,000, 50,000, 75,000, and 100,000 operational hours, with specific maintenance actions required at each stage. For example, F-class turbines generally follow a 25,000-hour maintenance regime, though in some power plants, maintenance schedules extend to 33,000-hour intervals.
In certain power plants where turbines were procured without support from domestic manufacturers, issues have arisen in maintaining operational readiness and securing critical components. These challenges can reduce consistent performance and lead to operational disruptions over time. However, the development of domestic capabilities to supply and manufacture components for F-class turbines has significantly mitigated these risks.
One of the key technological advancements in F-class turbines is the use of advanced hot-path components and blade manufacturing technologies. For instance, MAPNA employs precision casting methods such as single-crystal (SC) casting and directional solidification (DS) to produce high-quality, large-sized components for F-class turbines.
Currently, MAPNA Group has the capacity to design, produce, and supply these advanced components domestically. While this capability enhances the cost management of turbine maintenance and operations, it does not entirely eliminate the associated expenses. Nevertheless, it represents a significant step toward improving the efficiency and self-reliance of the power sector.
Breaking Monopoly in Manufacturing F-Class Turbine Components
The technology level required for manufacturing Class F turbine components is exceptionally advanced due to the materials used, the high precision involved, the extensive machining operations, and the complexity of the processes. Operations in this area are highly intricate and naturally incur significant costs. Despite these challenges, MAPNA has successfully broken the monopoly in producing cast components for these turbines, making these parts available to the country’s industry at reasonable and economical costs.
According to Tabatabaei, this shift in the production process enables them to offer a logical and cost-effective solution for supplying necessary components and maintaining power plant readiness. “One of the most critical aspects is MAPNA’s ability to ensure timely supply and delivery of parts, allowing advanced power plants to remain continuously operational.
The combustion system and other components used in F-class turbines operate under extreme conditions, with exposure to hot gases at temperatures ranging from 1,500 to 1,600°C. This necessitates the use of specialized alloys capable of withstanding such intense heat. These alloys, combined with cooling technologies and ceramic materials, significantly extend the lifespan of the components.
For example, advanced cooling technologies, ceramic materials, and state-of-the-art protective coatings enable hot-path components to operate reliably at high temperatures over extended periods. These innovations allow components designed to function at average temperatures of 900–950°C to achieve greater durability and performance.
While the maintenance costs of F-class turbines are higher than those of lower-technology turbines, they are justified by the turbines’ superior efficiency and reduced fuel consumption. Over the long term, these advantages offset the initial cost differential.
Globally, approximately 70% of electricity production costs stem from fuel expenses. Given the importance of managing costs, while maintaining efficiency and optimizing manufacturing and maintenance processes, MAPNA has consistently worked to develop comprehensive solutions for refurbishing key components of advanced turbines and establishing a robust value chain for domestic repairs.
MGT-75: The First Fully Iranian F-Class Turbine
MAPNA is on the brink of unveiling the MGT-75, the first fully Iranian F-class turbine. This turbine embodies advanced technology and holds a competitive position in the global gas turbine market. Notably, it ranks among the most efficient and high-performing turbines in its power range worldwide. MAPNA’s objective was to design the MGT-75 with a power capacity of approximately 220 MW while achieving the highest possible efficiency. Additionally, it is equipped to operate on hydrogen blended with natural gas, aligning with the latest advancements in the global energy industry.
MAPNA’s F-class turbines are highly effective in power generation due to their superior efficiency, enhanced reliability, and reduced environmental impact. For every 1% improvement in gas turbine efficiency, CO₂ emissions in power generation are reduced by approximately 2.5%. This is significant, as the efficiency difference between F-class and E-class turbines is about 4%. With this technology, Iran is poised to make substantial progress in enhancing power generation and mitigating its environmental footprint over the next 5 to 10 years.
The development of the MGT-75 involved a comprehensive upgrade of design and manufacturing technologies, all achieved indigenously. MAPNA has advanced not only in software and hardware design but also in workforce expertise and production facilities. These achievements enable the conglomerate to apply these capabilities to other projects, such as designing and developing turbines for oil fields.
“There are currently around 15 F-class turbines installed across the country, with another soon to be added. Strategic components for these turbines are being locally manufactured, and MAPNA has established a robust support system to maintain and fully service this fleet. The group also possesses the capacity and expertise for complete in-country repairs, including major overhauls,” Tabatabei said.
Once domestic demands are met, MAPNA’s advanced engineering services and turbine components could create significant export opportunities. These exports have the potential to generate foreign currency revenues and meet the growing energy and power market needs in the region.
In summary, MAPNA Group has taken positive steps to advance Iran’s energy industry, contributing to the country’s technological and industrial self-reliance. With the expertise and dedication of MAPNA’s specialists, the future of Iran’s energy sector is poised for continued progress and innovation.