A combined cycle power plant is provided and includes a gas turbine engine to generate power, a heat recovery steam generator (HRSG) to produce steam from high energy fluids produced from the generation of power in the gas turbine engine, a steam turbine engine to generate additional power from the steam produced in the HRSG and a thermal load reduction system to reduce thermal loading of components of the HRSG and/or the steam turbine engine during at least startup and/or part load operations, which includes an eductor by which a mixture of compressor discharge air and entrained ambient air is injectable into the HRSG and/or an attemperator to cool superheated steam to be transmitted to the steam turbine engine.