Kuwait Ready to Meet Summer Electricity Demand


o GE Gas Turbines Help Add 10 Percent More Power to Grid

o Completion of Sabiya Phase 1; Six Advanced F-Technology Turbines Generating Almost 1,400 MW to Support Country's Growing Energy Need

o Phase 2 on Track; When Completed Will Boost Country's Power Generation Capacity by Almost 700 Megawatts (20 Percent)

KUWAIT CITY, KUWAIT - Sabiya, Kuwait's largest power plant, recently activated six GE (NYSE: GE) advanced technology gas turbine-generators that are producing nearly 1,400 megawatts of power to help support the country's robust business and residential growth. The six 9FA gas turbines are adding about 10 percent of capacity to Kuwait's grid and helping the country meet its peak demand for electricity during the hot summer months.

The increased power adds capacity to the country's power generation to help fuel Kuwait's growth. Kuwait's power demand is growing at approximately 7-10 percent per year, and at this rate, the country estimates it will reach national peak load demand of 25,000 MW by year 2025. GE has been working with the government to drive operational efficiencies and capacity enhancements by providing its world-class technologies.

Owned by the government of Kuwait, the Sabiya facility is the largest power plant in Kuwait and among the largest in the region. When the plant enters combined-cycle operation in 2012, the total plant output will be more than 2,000 megawatts. A combined-cycle plant dramatically boosts efficiency because waste heat is recovered from the exhaust of the gas turbine, converted to steam and then fed to a steam turbine to provide additional energy output.

"The Sabiya project is a reflection of the Ministry's commitment to provide reliable electricity for the people of Kuwait," said Joseph Anis, GE Energy's president for the Middle East. "Working closely with the Ministry of Electricity and Water and EPC contractor Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI), we have been successful in meeting a very tight project schedule to make additional power available this summer. This very important project reinforces our growing commitment to Kuwait, where we have been active for nearly 40 years."

The six 9FA gas turbines utilize GE's DLN2.6 emissions reducing technology that lowers annual CO2 and NOx emissions by significant margins, which support Kuwait's clean air goals. Today's announcement is part of a turnkey contract the Kuwait's Ministry of Electricity and Water (MEW) signed in 2009 with GE and Hyundai Heavy Industries totaling $2.65 billion for the Sabiya power plant. GE also will operate and maintain the plant for seven years from the date that the plant enters full combined-cycle commercial operation. A highly skilled GE workforce will run the power station and provide training for the MEW employees to support growth plans and ensure efficient plant operation.

Join the conversation at our GE Hewar blog: http://middleeast.geblogs.com/.

About GE

GE (NYSE: GE) is an advanced technology, services and finance company taking on the world's toughest challenges. Dedicated to innovation in energy, health, transportation and infrastructure, GE operates in more than 100 countries and employs about 300,000 people worldwide. For more information, visit the company's Web site at www.ge.com.

GE also serves the energy sector by providing technology and service solutions that are based on a commitment to quality and innovation. The company continues to invest in new technology solutions and grow through strategic acquisitions to strengthen its local presence and better serve customers around the world. The businesses that comprise GE Energy www.ge.com/energy-GE Power & Water, GE Energy Services and GE Oil & Gas-work together with more than 90,000 global employees and 2010 revenues of US$38 billion, to provide integrated product and service solutions in all areas of the energy industry including coal, oil, natural gas and nuclear energy; renewable resources such as water, wind, solar and biogas; as well as other alternative fuels and new grid modernization technologies to meet 21st century energy needs.

Media contacts:

GE news

Masto Public Relations

Email: information@mastopr.com

Lamia Jaroudi

GE Energy

Phone: +9714 429 6559

Mobile: +971 50 189 3075

Email: lamia.jaroudi@ge.com

Ken Darling

Masto Public Relations

Phone: +1 518 786 6488

Email: kenneth.darling@ge.com

Howard Masto

Masto Public Relations

Phone: + 1 518 786 6488

Email: howard.masto@ge.com

Gina DeRossi

Masto Public Relations

Phone: +1 518 786 6488

Email: Gina.derossi@mastopr.com

Kate Culman

Masto Public Relations

Phone: +1 518 786 6488

Email: kate.culman@mastopr.com

Beth Coffman

Masto Public Relations

Phone: +1 518 786 6488

Email: beth.coffman@mastopr.com

Sue Greene

Masto Public Relations

Phone: +1 518 786 6488

Email: sue.greene@mastopr.com

Tom Murnane

Masto Public Relations

Phone: + 1 518 786 6488

Email: tom.murnane@mastopr.com

All Topics