General Electric Company (GE) will manufacture in Saudi Arabia critical components for GE gas turbines among other high-tech equipment for supporting power generation, electrification and oil and gas industries.

The manufacturing capabilities are part of a new $250 million technology hub GE has opened in Dammam. Other capabilities include repairs and servicing for advanced turbine equipment plus training.

As well as critical components for GE gas turbines for use in electricity generation, GE will manufacture control units for the reliable transmission of electricity, low and medium voltage motors for heavy industries and drilling and production equipment for the oil and gas industry.

'This drives an end-to-end solution for the energy industry. These kinds of equipment are critical to the operations, efficiency and optimisation of the energy infrastructure in the region,' a GE spokesman said.

'The GE Energy Manufacturing Technology Centre opens at a time when greater emphasis is being placed on doing more with less in the energy sector. Achieving increased efficiency with existing energy infrastructure is a top priority with regional utility providers given the rising price of energy,' he added.

The GE Energy Manufacturing Technology Centre offers dedicated service to the energy value chain in the wider Middle East region, Europe and Africa with advanced energy technology services and manufacturing.

Investment for the manufacturing segment is $150 million, while that for service and repair capabilities is $80 million and training $20 million. The hub will support more than 2,000 GE jobs, in addition to catalysing the growth of ancillary industries that support the facility.

Servicing and repairs

With a focus on quality, value and delivery, the centre provides best-in-class repair and service technology capabilities and is designed to enable customers to provide a reliable supply of electricity. GE’s newest technology centre will deliver quality service for advanced and innovative technologies, such as the first regional F-technology turbine service and repair and balance-of-plant test and inspection to customers.

Training

The advanced training centre hosted within GE’s new facility will offer the latest technology and managerial courses for college students, field engineers and other power industry professionals throughout the region. This training centre is an additional example of GE’s active response to support the kingdom in achieving its human resource development ambition.

The technical education that will be offered will be key to providing young Saudi and regional talent with the skills and qualifications to contribute to the kingdom’s growing energy sector. GE training efforts include comprehensive co-op programmes with leading Saudi universities, including King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals and Prince Mohammed Bin Fahd University as well technical colleges under the Technical and Vocation Training Corporation (TVTC) such as the Dammam College of Technology.

Prince Mohammad opening the GE Energy Manufacturing Technology Centre

The new technology centre is developed in association with Ali A Tamimi Co, GE’s long-term joint venture partner. Both companies have been working closely together for almost 60 years.

The GE Energy Manufacturing Technology Centre was inaugurated by Prince Mohammad bin Fahd bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Governor of the Saudi Eastern Province, in the presence of over 400 high-level government officials and dignitaries, Tamimi and key GE executives including vice chairman John Krenicki.

Krenicki said: 'As Saudi Arabia forges ahead with its ambitious development plans, the opening of the Energy Manufacturing Technology Centre underscores GE’s commitment to be closer to our customers who trust us to deliver the latest technologies and services across the full spectrum of the energy landscape.'

He said the manufacturing segment of the hub would boost localisation of GE capabilities, boost the manufacturing and export sectors of the kingdom and empower Saudi youth with promising career opportunities.

Praise from top officials

Ali Saleh Al Barrak, president and CEO of Saudi Electricity Company (SEC), highlighted that the new facility would enable GE to repair turbine parts locally rather than have them sent outside the country. He was also pleased with the expansion of training to young Saudis.

'We look forward to the future of more cooperation and partnership with GE,' he added.

Khalid A Al Falih, president and CEO of Saudi Aramco, said: 'Saudi Aramco and GE enjoy a longstanding relationship that spans nearly eight decades … We are pleased to see GE’s interest in pursuing industrial investments and presence in the kingdom, which further supports Saudi Arabia’s oil and gas industry as well as the job creation and economic diversification goals of the kingdom.'

Mohamed H Al Mady, vice chairman and CEO of Saudi Basic Industries (Sabic), commented: 'Sabic and GE share a global pedigree and enjoy a long standing relationship that spans many decades. We are delighted to observe this increased presence and commitment to the kingdom, offering even greater support to the continued diversification of Saudi Arabian industry and the provision of new jobs.'