GE Gas Power acquiring Baker Hughes business

GE Gas Power plans acquire Nexus Controls, a Baker Hughes, which specializes in aftermarket control system upgrades and controls field services.

Following deal closure, the proposed integrated business would develop the future of GE’s proprietary Mark Vle controls systems platform for customers, design retrofit and modernization offerings, and streamline and improve the delivery and service of controls in the power generation space. The financial terms of the acquisition are not being disclosed.

The company was formerly part of GE Oil and Gas known as GE Energy Control Solutions. GE’s oil and gas business was combined with Baker Hughes in 2017.

GE Gas Power to acquire Nexus Controls from Baker Hughes to integrate full lifecycle controls business and complement Mark Vle platform. Shown here is the Nexus Controls OnCore† Control System, a distributed control system, is an advanced, fully configurable solution that improves asset visibility, provides built-in troubleshooting and maintenance tools, offers simplified expansion capabilities, and reduces overall installation and training costs for all distributed turbine control system needs. (Image: Nexus Controls)

GE Gas Power said controls are an important part of a power plant’s operational strategy and integral to reliable and efficient performance across the asset’s lifecycle and are especially important as the energy transition presents new opportunities and operating profiles which emphasize flexibility. The planned acquisition of Nexus Controls will combine leading controls talent into a single organization: Nexus Controls’ aftermarket control system upgrade capability and controls field services complement the existing Gas Power Mark Vle systems, application software design capability, and new unit fulfillment focus. GE will continue to provide Baker Hughes with GE’s Mark VIe controls products, as Baker Hughes is the exclusive distributor and service provider of these GE products for the controls needs of Baker Hughes’ Oil & Gas fleet. GE Gas Power and Nexus Controls will continue to operate independently until the deal’s closure.

“The proposed acquisition of Nexus Controls from Baker Hughes is expected to strengthen our quality, service, and delivery of a world-class controls experience for our customer’s assets,” said Scott Strazik, CEO of GE’s energy business portfolio. “Integrating GE’s controls capabilities with those from Nexus Controls would re-position GE as a global leader in controls products, engineering, and lifecycle services—ultimately providing new value and innovation for our customers and aligning world-class controls talent into a single organization.”

GE’s plan is to continue developing its Mark VIe controls product line as well as other related products, and lead the sales, project execution, manufacturing, and servicing of control systems globally for Gas Power. With the proposed integration of Nexus Controls, GE Power said customers would benefit from additional controls consistency and efficiency across both new and serviced units, as well as a single lifecycle strategy for development and support of their unit or fleet’s controls strategy.

The deal, which is subject to customary closing conditions including regulatory approval and mandatory information and consultation processes with employees and their representatives, is expected to close in the second quarter of 2023.