Utilities

Regional investment in electricity generation recession-proof

Committed expenditure for electricity projects throughout the Middle East has been unaffected by the current economic climate, as governments recognise that the expansion of generation capability, in line with rapidly expanding populations and manufacturing growth, are key to the continued development of the region. Leading global strategic management consultants A.T. Kearney recently estimated that the Middle East requires investment totalling more than US$500 billion in electricity infrastructure to facilitate economic growth in the coming years.While economic growth in the Middle East is expected to be in the region of 7%, the buildup of generation capacity is only 4% per annum.

GCC power link

The first phase of a $7 billion GCC power grid will be commissioned in May. Bahrain Works Minister and Minister in charge of the Electricity and Water Authority Fahmi Al Jowder said the commissioning of the grid, linking Bahrain, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait in the first phase, would provide many operational, economic, environmental and technological benefits to the countries of the region. He said once the grid is ready, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia will each receive an extra 1200 MW of power capacity, the UAE will receive 900 MW, Qatar 750 MW, Bahrain 600 MW and Oman 450 MW.

GE Energy Signs Contract for Nearly $1 Billion to Support New Power Plant Project in Saudi Arabia

GE Energy has signed a contract for nearly $1 billion to supply more than 30 Frame 7EA gas turbines for the Saudi Electricity Company’s (SEC) Riyadh Power Plant 10 (PP10). This project, the latest in a series of GE contracts for SEC power projects, will add 2,000 megawatts of much needed power to help support the region’s dynamic economic and population growth.

Proton Energy wins Qatar contract

US-based Proton Energy Systems has won a contract from Doosan Heavy Industries & Construction to supply Hogen hydrogen generators for a power plant that provides electricity to Qatalum. Qatalum, a major aluminium smelter in the region, is currently under construction and slated to begin operations in August 2010. The high quality hydrogen gas will provide cooling to four F-Class GE gas turbines and two steam turbines, which have a combined power output of 1472 MW.

KPTL wins $250m Kuwait order

Kalpataru Power Transmission Limited (KPTL), a leading EPC player in power transmission and distribution, said it has won a $250 million power transmission order from the Ministry of Energy and Water, Kuwait. The order is by far the largest for an Indian transmission company that relates to a 172 km-400 KY double circuit overhead transmission line, the company said in a statement. The order, which will be completed in 24 months, involves procurement of materials like conductors, insulators which are required for completing the turnkey project, besides 25000 MT of galvanized steel towers from the company's facility in Gandhinagar, Gujarat.