Saudi Electricity Company to enhance power plant reliability at PP10

This advanced optimization and control technology is designed to improve overall plant reliability and deliver operational and maintenance efficiency over the generating life of the facility. The project reflects GE Energy's service mission of helping customers achieve cleaner, smarter, and more efficient power plant operations.

"The Saudi Arabian government's stated goal is to add 30 gigawatts of generating capacity to the electricity grid by 2020. As the leading electricity supplier in the region, SEC consistently adapts to the evolving conditions to meet increasing demand. Our relationship with GE, which spans more than 40 years, has played a key role in meeting the need for additional power throughout the Kingdom."

said Eng. Ali Saleh al-Barrak, president and CEO of Saudi Electricity Company.

In what will be one of the largest installations of a Mark VIe control worldwide, GE Energy will be responsible for the engineering, supply, and technical installation services for the ICS at the 2,000-MW PP10 power plant, consisting of more than 30 GE Frame 7EA gas turbine generating units. The plant-wide and turbine control system, developed based on over 100 years of power generation expertise, will be integrated into a single, easy-to-use platform and represents GE's most advanced control solution available. The ICS system is expected to ship later this year.

"This latest contract for SEC's PP10 project reflects GE's continued commitment to provide Saudi Arabia and the region with power generation solutions and quality services to help meet energy demands, " said Joseph Anis, President of GE Energy for the Middle East. "With our established track record for delivering solutions that are reliable, flexible and available in the Middle East, we continue to increase our local presence and expand regional training, project management and services capabilities to better serve our customers. Our regional teams will be fully engaged for the successful execution of this project."

This is the latest in a series of GE contracts on SEC power projects that are adding much needed support for the Kingdom's demand for power, which is growing at an estimated 8% per year. It follows GE's announcement earlier this year for a contract of nearly $1bn to supply more than 30 Frame 7EA gas turbines at SEC's PP10 site. When completed, the PP10 project will increase the power capacity in SEC's Central Operating Area by 20%, helping to improve the reliability and delivery of power to SEC's customers.

GE Energy is a regional leader in power generation, with more than 1,000 turbines installed throughout the Middle East providing more than 70 gigawatts. GE Energy today has regional management and project management offices as well as local repair and service facilities to serve its customers in the region.