In 2025, Russia finalized the development and performed bench testing of a new industrial gas turbine engine, the TM16, with a power output of 16 megawatts. Intended for long-term deployment in gas compressor stations, the TM16 represents a noteworthy development in Russia’s initiative to modernize its gas transportation infrastructure and substitute aged foreign-made equipment with a completely domestic solution. Following effective completion of factory testing, the engine is slated to undergo industrial testing in 2026 at the Turtas compressor station, operated by Gazprom Transgaz Surgut.
The TM16 is not just another turbine program. It signifies a strategic initiative to address years of reliance on imported or outdated engines, many of which are approaching the end of their operational lifespan. With serial production already underway, the TM16 is positioned to become one of the main workhorses of Russia’s gas transmission infrastructure in the future decade.
Why a New 16 MW Turbine Was Needed
Gas turbine engines are essential components of pipeline systems, as they power compressors that sustain pressure and flow across extensive distances of thousands of kilometers. For many decades, Russia depended extensively on DG-90 gas turbines, a 16 MW class engine originally created during the Soviet period and produced in what is now Ukraine. These engines were widely used throughout compressor stations and demonstrated dependability; however, the passage of time and geopolitical factors have impacted their effectiveness.
A number of DG-90 units are now extensively deteriorated, sourcing spare parts has become increasingly challenging, and technical support from the original manufacturers is no longer accessible. Simultaneously, the purchase of Western industrial turbines has presented major economic and political challenges. This generated an immediate requirement for a contemporary, domestically manufactured alternative that could be implemented with minimal alterations at existing installations.
The TM16 was specifically designed to fulfill this requirement: a Russian-manufactured turbine within the same power class, featuring compatible dimensions, enhanced efficiency, and an extended operational lifespan.
Development and Bench Testing Scheduled for 2025
By the year 2025, the TM16 initiative had achieved an important milestone. The first prototype engines were assembled, and extensive bench testing was successfully conducted. The evaluations examined thermal efficiency, mechanical integrity, fuel utilization, pressure ratios, and the overall dependability of the system under controlled conditions.
Engineers performed comprehensive measurements along the gas path, confirming the temperature and pressure behavior from the compressor inlet to the turbine outlet. The results validated that the design satisfied its objective parameters and established a robust basis for real-world testing.
The main design aspect of the TM16 is its dimensional compatibility with previous foreign and legacy turbines. This enables compressor stations to upgrade to newer engines without extensive civil remodeling, thereby considerably minimizing disruption and capital expenditure.
Industrial Testing at the Turtas Compressor Station
The next stage of the program is expected to start in 2026, with the installation of the first TM16 unit at the Turtasskaya compressor station, one of the facilities managed by Gazprom Transgaz Surgut. This station was chosen because of its close proximity to the manufacturing facility and its current use of DG-90 engines, rendering it an optimal testing location.
The first TM16 subjected to industrial testing will incorporate a left-hand turbine rotor rotation. The installation of the new engine will necessitate partial modifications to the station’s piping systems and the implementation of a new unit control system using an entirely domestically produced controller. These modifications are essential to incorporate advanced automation and monitoring functionalities.
Industrial testing will assess not only performance but also long-term reliability, maintainability, initial behavior, and interaction with compressor equipment under actual pipeline operating conditions. A right-hand rotation variant of the TM16 has already been planned, with the following deployment expected at additional compressor stations such as Bogandinskaya.
Technical Specifications of the TM16
The TM16 is engineered as a modern industrial turbine optimized for uninterrupted operation in demanding environments. Its main technical features firmly categorize it within the modern 16 MW class.
The engine achieves a nominal efficiency of 35.8 percent, a competitive rate for an industrial gas turbine within this power category. Its design service life is 125,000 operating hours, with a maintenance interval of 33,000 hours, ensuring extended periods between overhauls and lower lifecycle costs.
Fuel gas consumption is approximately 4,000 kilograms per hour, with the compressor pressure ratio reaching 19.5. The turbine inlet temperature is 1,080 degrees Celsius, while the effluent gases exit the turbine at approximately 420 degrees Celsius. The power turbine functions at a nominal rotational speed of 5,200 revolutions per minute.
These parameters establish the TM16 as an appropriate main drive for modern gas compressor units throughout Russia’s transmission network.
Mass Production and Industrial Collaboration
The Tyumen Engine Builders facility, a division of the Gazprom industrial group, functions as the main manufacturer of the TM16. A modern manufacturing plant has been established to facilitate serial production, comprising sophisticated machining, assembly, and quality control processes.
The initiative is backed by an extensive industrial collaboration network encompassing Gazenergoservis, Uralturbo, and Nevsky Zavod. Each collaborator provides specialized components and expertise, guaranteeing that the complete engine can be manufactured within Russia utilizing localized supply chains.
This collaborative model not only expedites production readiness but also enhances domestic expertise in turbine manufacturing, metallurgy, and precision engineering.
Replacing the Outdated DG-90 Fleet
Across Russia’s gas transmission network, there are over 1,400 gas turbine engines in the 16 MW class, including converted marine and aviation-origin units. Many of these engines are nearing or exceeding their designated service lifetimes, with their wear rates consistently accelerating.
The TM16 is designed to progressively replace DG-90 engines in service, both at current compressor stations and at new installations. Because it maintains the form factor of older turbines, replacement can be executed in a cost-efficient and prompt manner.
Starting in 2026, the annual demand for TM16 engines is projected to be a minimum of seven units per year, driven by replacement requirements and the growth of gas transmission infrastructure.
International Competitors in the 16 MW Category
Globally, the 16 MW turbine segment is occupied by reputable and well-established manufacturers. Western competitors consist of aeroderivative and industrial turbines produced by corporations such as General Electric, Rolls-Royce, Siemens Energy, Wärtsilä, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, and MAN Energy Solutions.
Many of these companies provide engines based on aircraft powerplants, renowned for their high power-to-weight ratios and excellent efficiency. Others concentrate on robust industrial turbines designed for extended, uninterrupted operation in power generation and compression applications.
Compared to these competitors, the TM16 is not intended for immediate international export markets. Instead, it is tailored to meet Russia’s particular operational needs, environmental conditions, fuel standards, and maintenance capabilities. Its principal advantage resides in ensuring supply security, compatibility with extant stations, and sustained long-term operational independence.
Strategic Importance and Future Outlook
The TM16 represents more than just a single-engine model; it serves as a symbol of Russia’s wider effort to reassert comprehensive control over vital energy technologies. Effective industrial testing and mass production will substantially decrease dependence on foreign turbines and eradicate weaknesses in maintenance and spare parts supply.
In the future, the TM16 could form the basis for an extended range of industrial turbines, potentially featuring enhanced efficiencies, advanced materials, and integrated digital control systems. Its development expertise further enhances Russia’s engineering foundation for higher-capacity turbines and other sophisticated energy technologies.
Final Remarks
The successful conclusion of the TM16 gas turbine development in 2025 and its subsequent transition to industrial testing in 2026 represent a significant milestone for Russian industrial engineering. Designed as a direct replacement for aged foreign-origin engines, the TM16 integrates advanced performance with practical compatibility and extended service life.
As mass production accelerates and deployment increases, the TM16 is poised to become a key component of Russia’s gas transmission infrastructure—guaranteeing reliability, technological sovereignty, and operational continuity in one of the nation’s most strategically vital sectors.