GE has announced it will provide 10 of its SC series steam turbines specifically for the conversion of Saudi Electricity Company (SEC)’s PP10 power plant from simple to combined-cycle operation.

The company has received a contract for nearly $200 million to supply steam turbine technology, power generation services and distributed control systems for the conversion.

The US-based firm previously supplied 40 7EA gas turbines for the PP10 site. The combined-cycle conversion enables the plant to increase its output without any increase in fuel, boosting its operating efficiency. PP10 will add 1,300 megawatts to the plant’s capacity.

In addition to the SC series steam turbines, GE will supply new balance-of-plant mechanical and electrical equipment. An existing simple cycle Mark Vle integrated control system (ICS) will be expanded to incorporate the entire combined-cycle plant. GE power generation services will include installation, testing, commissioning and completing the combined-cycle conversion.

Shipment of the GE equipment is scheduled to begin in the first quarter of 2013 with services to start in the second quarter of that year. The first two combined-cycle blocks at PP10 are scheduled to begin commercial operation in the second quarter of 2014, in time to meet summer peak demands, while the full combined-cycle plant will be on line by the first quarter of 2015.

“The conversion to combined-cycle operation is part of our growth plan to add an average of 4,000 megawatts of power each year, with a vision of doubling the grid capacity by the year 2020,” said Ali Saleh Al Barrak, president and CEO for SEC. “This new contract reflects our continued trust in GE’s technology solutions. In addition to increasing plant capacity by more than 50 per cent, from about 2,200 to 3,500 megawatts, the conversion will raise overall plant efficiency.”

“This new agreement is testimony to our growing relationship with SEC,” said Joseph Anis, GE Energy’s president and CEO for the Middle East.

The Riyadh PP10 site recently entered commercial operation in simple cycle mode and is adding about 2,000 megawatts to Saudi Arabia’s grid to support the country’s electricity demand and increase the power capacity in SEC’s Central Operation Area by 20 per cent.

Building on a successful 40-year old relationship, GE’s on-time delivery of the Frame 7EA gas turbines for the Riyadh PP10 site enabled SEC to provide reliable electricity for the Riyadh Central grid. GE’s Mark VIe ICS installed at PP10 is improving overall plant reliability and will deliver operational and maintenance efficiency over the generating life of the power plant.

The Riyadh PP10 site is currently the biggest installation worldwide for GE’s Mark VIe ICS. 

Today, GE supports the generation of half the kingdom’s electricity with over 500 GE turbines installed at various sites around Saudi Arabia.