The low installation cost of a gas turbine is primarily due to which factor?

• A. due to less costly construction materials
• B. because less auxiliary equipment is needed
• C. the cooling tower can be much smaller
• D. still higher than a steam plant installation

Answer: (B)

The main idea is that installation cost is driven by how much auxiliary equipment and civil work a plant requires. A gas turbine plant needs far less auxiliary equipment than a steam plant because there is no boiler, no steam turbine, no condenser, and no large feedwater, deaerator, or extensive cooling-water systems. This means simpler piping, shorter construction time, and lighter foundations, all of which cut costs significantly. The cooling tower isn’t the primary cost factor in this comparison, and a steam plant generally isn’t cheaper to install. So the big saving comes from needing less auxiliary equipment overall.