AI引爆美国电力需求，燃气轮机成“关键瓶颈”，GE Vernova、西门子能源和三菱重工“三巨头”面临抉择

Core Viewpoint - The three major gas turbine manufacturers are exercising caution in their expansion plans due to a deep understanding of industry cyclicality and the painful memories of the early 2000s industry disaster [1][5]. Group 1: Market Demand and Policy Support - The demand for gas turbines is surging due to the AI data center-driven "electricity competition," as stable and large-scale power supply is essential for AI operations [6]. - Gas turbines have replaced coal-fired units as the mainstay of the U.S. power grid due to their efficiency, flexibility, and lower pollution levels compared to coal [6]. - Since mid-2023, the cost of new gas power plants has roughly doubled, primarily driven by rising gas turbine prices, as utility companies and tech giants secure orders through the end of the decade [6]. - U.S. energy policies are favoring natural gas power, with the Trump administration prioritizing gas turbines as a key transitional solution before new nuclear plants are built [6]. Group 2: Historical Lessons and Caution - The cautious approach of the gas turbine manufacturers is influenced by the memory of the 2000s internet bubble, which led to over-optimistic power demand forecasts and subsequent industry collapse [7]. - Siemens Energy's CEO emphasized the cyclical nature of the industry, acknowledging that gas turbine demand will eventually decline [7]. - The challenge for companies lies in distinguishing between genuine demand and speculative demand [8]. Group 3: Limited Expansion Plans - In light of historical lessons and current market realities, the three major manufacturers are opting for limited capacity expansions [9]. - GE Vernova plans to invest over $300 million to increase its heavy gas turbine annual delivery capacity from an average of 55 units to 80 units [10]. - Siemens Energy aims to increase its capacity by 30% to 40% while avoiding high-risk bets on the market outlook for the 2030s [11]. - Mitsubishi Heavy Industries is expected to invest hundreds of millions to expand its production scale in the U.S. [12]. - Analysts note that these expansion plans are not commensurate with the growth in demand over the past two years, indicating a reluctance to overcommit [13]. - Supply chain bottlenecks are shifting from assembly plants to upstream suppliers, with critical materials like specialty alloys facing shortages [13].