General Electric signed USD 300 million deals with Saudi Electricity Company to provide 13 gas turbines and associated services for the expansion of six power plants at various locations across the country. These will add nearly 800 megawatts by summer 2013 to support peak electricity demands and reduce the risk of blackouts.

The new contract brings the number of GE turbines working for SEC projects to nearly 200 in the last 5 years. GE is supporting the production of nearly half of Saudi Arabia's electricity. The latest plant expansions support SEC's plans to expand its power capabilities across Saudi Arabia including remote areas of the Kingdom.

Mr Ali Al Barrak president and CEO for SEC said that "The expansion projects are part of our overall strategy to add an average of 4,000 MW of power annually to the grid in Saudi Arabia as we continue to face a growing demand for reliable electricity. We have been working with GE for more than 40 years. The new contract reflects our continued trust in GE's power generation solutions and ability to respond to our technology requirements and meet compressed project schedules."

Mr Paul Browning president and CEO of GE Energy's thermal products division said that this was his second time to speak at the Saudi Water and Power Forum, calling it a great opportunity to learn. The Kingdom is witnessing a high economic growth in water and electricity which makes it a great place to get exposed to challenges facing both sectors. The growth power is challenging in itself, let alone the environmental challenges related to producing the power effectively."

Mr Browning said that 62% of GE's employees or 450 people are Saudi. By 2015 he expects to employ 2,000 Saudis. In cooperation with the Technical Vocational Training Corporation, GE has trained 40 Saudis and employed 30 of them. Eventually, GE hopes to train 100 Saudis per year.

(Sourced from Arab News)