THE first four highly efficient and flexible GE gas turbines in the field have successfully reached full commercial baseload operation at Saudi Electricity Company's (SEC) Power Plant (PP) 12 in Riyadh. By early 2015, all eight units at PP12 will be operating in combined cycle and add nearly 2,000 megawatts, enough power for approximately 2 million homes, to support SEC in meeting its future electricity demands. PP12 is part of Saudi Arabia's plans to add 33 gigawatts of power generation capacity by 2020. “PP12 is one of the most important combined-cycle projects in Saudi Arabia and will enable us to provide the additional electricity needed to support Saudi Arabia's ongoing economic growth,” said Eng. Ziyad M. Alshiha, president and CEO of SEC. “We are very pleased to be the first to operate GE's latest technology and expect GE's advanced technology to provide reliable power to residents and industries throughout the Kingdom for many years to come.” The first four of eight GE 7F.05 units (“Block One”) that SEC installed at PP12 recently began providing much-needed baseload power to the Kingdom. The four remaining units (“Block Two”) are in commissioning and expected to begin operating by early 2015. Currently, the four 7F.05 gas turbines are operating in simple cycle at full baseload on distillate fuel. The plant is expected to be operating on natural gas and in combined-cycle mode in early 2015. Fuel flexibility is a significant advantage of the 7F.05 turbines, which can operate on natural gas, distillate fuel or Arabian Super Light crude. GE's F-class gas turbines are the first to offer customers the ability to operate on crude oil. “PP12 demonstrates the commitment of the Kingdom to adopt the newest technologies that promote operational efficiencies in the energy sector, underlining Saudi Arabia's status as a regional hub for cutting-edge technology,” said Mohammed Mohaisen, CEO, GE Power Generation Products & Services Sales, Middle East and North Africa. — SG
