The innovative technology of combined cycle plants allows high levels of energy efficiency while minimising environmental emissions. This is achieved through the combination of two distinct thermodynamic processes: the burning of natural gas and the subsequent expansion of steam in a turbine.

A comparison between a gas-fired combined cycle power plant and a traditional power plant of equal output fired by other fuels clearly shows the advantages of combined cycle technology in terms of both emissions and fuel use. The burning of natural gas molecules produces less CO2 than oil or coal. Furthermore, natural gas does not produce sulphur emissions (primarily responsible for acid rain) and, because of its gaseous nature, produces negligible quantities of dust pollutants.

Thermal efficiency is on average 40% higher than with older technologies, thus allowing a reduction in the amount of fuel needed to generate energy. This translates into lower emissions per kWh and reduced production costs.