GE Service Agreement Targets Reliable, Efficient Power for India
15-Year CSA with GMR Energy to Support 768-MW Vemagiri Power Plant Expansion
NEW DELHI, INDIA - Supporting its commitment to help meet India's growing need for reliable power, GMR Energy today signed a long-term service agreement with GE (NYSE: GE) for the expansion of the Vemagiri power plant in the state of Andhra Pradesh, India. Powered by two GE Frame 9FA gas turbine-generators, the plant will produce more than 768 megawatts of additional electricity by 2012, helping to support India's rapid economic growth.
Under a 15-year contractual service agreement (CSA), GE will supply parts, services and repairs for the gas turbines to help promote a high degree of availability and performance. The agreement enables the power plant to meet its efficiency goals.
"With India's energy demand expected to more than double by 2030, there is a pressing need to increase the efficiency and reliability of the country's power production. By teaming up with GE, one of the world's leading suppliers of power generation technology and services, we are positioning the Vemagiri plant to make a long-term, significant contribution to a modern and efficient Indian energy infrastructure," said Raaj Kumar, chief executive officer-energy of GMR Group.
"Our service agreement demonstrates our commitment to support the growth of our customers by enabling them to maximize the productivity of their power generation assets," said John Flannery, president and CEO, GE India. "Our mission is to provide cleaner, smarter and more efficient energy solutions that help our customers and communities to create jobs, expand their economies and improve living standards. This is particularly critical for India, where rapid growth continues to drive the need for greater levels of reliable and efficient power production."
GE currently is managing CSAs for customers at more than 700 sites covering 2,000 turbines worldwide. Benefits to customers may include performance guarantees, predictable maintenance costs and access to GE's technology and global experience.
GE's Frame 9FA gas turbines have been proven in successful applications worldwide, and several units already are operating in other GMR Energy power plants. "The decision to apply the same technology for the capacity expansion of the Vemagiri power plant is a testimony of the customer's confidence in GE's technology and our ability to provide supporting services," noted Flannery.
The 9FA is part of GE's family of Frame F turbines. More than 1,000 GE F-technology gas turbines have been installed worldwide and have compiled more than 32 million operating hours. GE's F-class turbines offer flexible fuel handling resulting in increased plant efficiency, lower greenhouse gas emissions, greater operational flexibility, lower operating cost and longer maintenance intervals.
About GE
GE (NYSE: GE) is a diversified infrastructure, finance and media company taking on the world's toughest challenges. From aircraft engines and power generation to financial services, health care solutions and television programming, GE operates in more than 100 countries and employs about 300,000 people worldwide. For more information, visit the company's website at www.ge.com.
GE serves the energy sector by developing and deploying technology that helps make efficient use of natural resources. With nearly 85,000 global employees and 2009 revenues of $40 billion, GE Energy www.ge.com/energy is one of the world's leading suppliers of power generation and energy delivery technologies. The businesses that comprise GE Energy-GE Power & Water, GE Energy Services and GE Oil & Gas-work together 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; and other alternative fuels.
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