GE Vernova Sustainability Report Confronts AI Emissions

GE Vernova has delivered 31GW of new power generation capacity in 2024 whilst positioning itself to address the electricity demands of AI and data centres, which are forecast to consume 12% of all US electricity by 2035.

The energy manufacturer, which operates across more than 100 manufacturing sites in more than 25 countries, has also reported US$35bn in revenue for 2024 alongside a project backlog worth US$119bn. 

The company's technology now powers approximately 25% of the world's electricity supply.

“I’m more confident and optimistic than ever about delivering on our mission to electrify and decarbonise the world,” says Scott Strazik, CEO at GE Vernova. 

“We are not just imagining the future of energy, we are shaping it.”

Advancing power generation

The company has set a target to add 150GW of generating capacity by 2030, building on its existing infrastructure deployment. In 2024, GE Vernova energised 71 GW of grid-enabling capacity, equivalent to South Africa's installed grid capacity, alongside 310,000 pieces of automation equipment and 6 GW of solar inverters.

To address growing electricity demand from AI applications, GE Vernova is also developing dispatchable generation technologies including high-efficiency gas turbines and its small modular reactor, the BWRX-300. 

In order to support AI-enabled grid management tools, the company is advancing GridOS and GridBeats, which are designed to stabilise power systems whilst enabling rapid deployment of co-located power generation for data centres.

Critically, GE Vernova invested US$1.2bn in research and development during 2024 and has committed US$9bn in cumulative R&D and capital expenditure through 2028. This funding is to support the development of grid innovation technologies, nuclear energy systems, hydrogen-ready gas turbines and carbon capture technologies.

The company’s operations span 109 direct material supplier countries with US$20bn in raw material spending. Its manufacturing capacity also includes the production of gas turbines, wind blades, modular reactors and grid software systems.

Approximately 62% of new generation capacity and 34% of grid-enabling capacity were delivered to address energy inequalities. Notably, projects in Iraq, Turkey, Ghana, Indonesia and Nigeria featured in the company’s deployment programme to develop emerging economies.

GE Vernova reports 796 million tonnes Scope 3 emissions reduction

The company’s sustainability report shows gross Scope 3 emissions fell to 796 million metric tons, representing a 38% reduction from the previous year. Critically, GE Vernova’s operations helped avoid 27 million tons of CO₂ emissions in 2024, primarily through cleaner energy generation and improved efficiency measures.

The average carbon intensity of new capacity installations reached 368 g CO₂/kWh, approximately 20% below the global grid average. As a result, the company reported a 51% reduction in Scope 1 and 2 emissions from its 2019 baseline, positioning it towards its 2030 carbon neutrality target.

GE Vernova’s approach now prioritises large-scale investments over renewable energy credits to achieve emissions reductions. The company’s net zero strategy focuses on four technologies: small modular nuclear reactors (SMRs), hydrogen systems, carbon capture and direct air capture solutions.

Water usage totalled 2.7 billion gallons during 2024, with 1.9 billion gallons used for once-through cooling processes. 

The company also reported eleven environmental spills and two wastewater exceedances, with no air quality violations recorded.

Investing in sustainability long-term

In 2024, 38% of GE Vernova’s products were covered by its 4R circularity framework, increasing from 23% in the previous year. The framework encompasses reduce, reuse, recycle and recover principles across the product lifecycle. 

The company has committed to increasing product circularity coverage to 90% by 2030.

Life Cycle Assessments or Environmental Product Declarations now support 53% of GE Vernova’s product lines, informing design and supply chain decisions based on environmental impact data.

Sustainability governance operates through a dedicated council model chaired by the Chief Sustainability Officer, who reports directly to the CEO and Board of Directors. The council spans 20 functions including legal, safety, operations and culture departments.

“I’m proud of our sustainability performance and the impacts made possible thanks to our manufacturing strength and our employees who drive it,” says Hon. Roger Martella, Chief Corporate Officer & Sustainability Officer. 

“They operate supply chains building some of the most complex equipment the planet needs.”

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