Saudi Electricity Company (SEC) is once again enlisting the help of General Electric (GE) to meet the increasing demands for fast power in isolated areas of Saudi Arabia’s grid.
The Saudi Arabia-based electricity utility company has ordered six additional gas turbine packages from GE for its existing power plants in Jizan and Tabouk. The TM2500+ aeroderivative mobile units can serve as emergency generators if a power outage occurs as each gas turbine is equipped with black-start capability and can deliver around 30 megawatts.
The new units, which combined would be able to provide the equivalent power necessary to supply approximately 70,000 Saudi households, are expected to be shipped to the power plant locations this month.
“Given the peak demands we experience during the summer, especially in the desert terrains, we must increase our capacity quickly and efficiently,” Saudi Electricity Company CEO Ziyad Al Shiha said. “By enhancing our fleet with proven technology from GE, we will be prepared for this summer’s power needs and able to manage the rising demand even in isolated areas of the grid.”
The order follows the successful delivery of GE’s five TM2500+ units throughout Saudi Arabia in 2015.
“With the TM2500+ mobile technology, we can move quickly to meet the peaking demand in Saudi’s isolated grid that increases at 10 to 12 percent annually and help SEC put more efficient, cleaner energy on the grid exactly where it is most needed,” Mohammed Mohaisen, president and CEO of GE’s gas power systems for the Middle East and North Africa, said.
