Abstract: A gas turbine engine for generating electricity having low NOx emissions that includes a turbine system linearly and axially connected by a power shaft to a compressor section and having a combustion section mounted vertically relative to the turbine section and the compressor section. The combustion system includes a plurality of individual combustors mounted in a circular or annular array around the upper cap or dome of the combustion system, each of said combustors being a dual mode, two-stage, emitting low levels of NOx. Each combustor exhausts its combustion gases into a common central plenum chamber that is vertically oriented relative to the turbine engine centerline. The plenum provides the hot gases to the turbine blades through an annular chamber 360 degrees around the shaft. The gas turbine engine vertical combustion system provides for a highly efficient, low nitric oxide emissions while allowing for uniform mixing of the combusting gases powering the turbine system.