RIYADH — GE Power and GE Saudi Advanced Turbines (GESAT), hosted Saudi Power Efficiency & Flexibility Day in Riyadh last April 16. The event convened over 70 energy sector experts, including representatives of the Saudi Ministry of Energy, Industry and Mineral Resources, Electricity & Cogeneration Regulatory Authority (ECRA), Saudi Electricity Company (SEC), Saudi Aramco and others. The event showcased trends and innovations in the energy ecosystem that can help unlock further operational efficiency and flexibility in the industry, presented experiences of industry-leading projects from around the world, and drove discussions on how to further strengthen the outlook of the power sector in the Kingdom.
Highlights included insights and presentations on regional power sector dynamics; GE Power’s advanced portfolio of solutions that offer the Kingdom’s energy sector opportunities for even stronger performance, such as its H-class heavy duty gas turbines that have helped set world records for efficiency in both 60 hertz (Hz) and 50 Hz energy segments, fast power technologies and the GE Reservoir, an advanced, flexible, modular energy storage solution; case studies on best-in-class power sector projects such as EDF’s Bouchain Power Plant in France, which set a world record for net combined cycle efficiency at 62.22 percent powered by GE’s H-class technology; as well as an overview of GESAT, a joint venture of GE and Dussur that manufactures gas turbines and gas turbine accessory modules in the Kingdom.
Ghassan Barghout, President & CEO for GE’s Gas Power Systems-Sales business in the Middle East & North Africa, said “with a continuously growing population, reliable, efficient and affordable electricity is critical to support infrastructure development and economic growth in Saudi Arabia. It is thus important that we consistently relook the power sector landscape and focus on advanced solutions that can help achieve transformational growth. GE and GESAT’s Saudi Power Efficiency & Flexibility Day marks our commitment to support the Kingdom to enhance the flexibility of power systems, meet the Saudi National Transformation Program 2020’s goal of greater efficiency in fuel utilization, and realize greater productivity in the energy industry.”
Tim Iori, CEO of GESAT, added “GESAT is at the forefront of high value added ‘Made in Saudi for the World’ efforts, with the capability to manufacture the world’s most advanced gas turbines, including GE’s H-class heavy duty gas turbines. For our customers in Saudi Arabia, the region and beyond, this means easier access to industry-leading technology and our technical support. GESAT also contributes to the wider economy by creating jobs for Saudis, driving exports and promoting the Kingdom’s small and medium enterprises that support our facility with parts, thus driving a strong industrial manufacturing supply chain in Saudi Arabia.”
Established in June 2017, GESAT has already started rolling out F-class gas turbines and H-class gas turbine accessory modules, and is the only facility to manufacture hot gas path components for heavy duty gas turbines in the Middle East & Africa, exporting them from Saudi to the world. Working with dozens of local suppliers, GESAT is further strengthening the small and medium enterprise (SME) and manufacturing ecosystems in the country, as well as contributing to the goals under Saudi Vision 2030 to raise the share of non-oil exports and increase the private sector's contributions to the GDP in the Kingdom. A ‘Brilliant Factory’, GESAT uses advanced data analytics to enhance performance and reduce downtime. The facility serves over 35 customers from four continents, and is led by a highly skilled workforce that comprises up to 55 percent Saudi talent.
GE supports the generation of more than half of the Kingdom’s power supply and has over 500 gas turbines installed in the country. With a presence of over 80 years, three offices and seven facilities, Saudi Arabia accounts for the largest GE workforce in the Middle East with more than a 4,000-strong workforce, including Baker Hughes, a GE company, with 50 per cent of its talent in highly skilled engineering and technology roles. — SG
