Kuwait to increase output, efficiency of power sector

Business Bureau, Gulf Today

The Kuwaiti Ministry of Electricity & Water (MEW) and GE Power have successfully started implementing Total Plant Solution upgrades at the MEW’s 2,000 megawatts (MW) Sabiya West Combined Cycle Gas Turbine Power Station.

Phase 1 of the project, which included installing GE’s industry-leading Advanced Gas Path gas turbine upgrade solution, has already helped increase the output of two gas turbines in Block 1 by over 6 per cent, leading to a combined increase in power production of more than 35 MW. This extra output can be produced without any additional fuel, leading to emissions savings equivalent to taking ~8,000 cars off Kuwait’s roads.

Phase 1 helps meet peak seasonal demand during the summer of 2019 and complements the goals under New Kuwait Vision 2035 to improve the quality of the country’s infrastructure and build a more sustainable living environment.

Dr Khaled Ali Al-Fadhel, Kuwait’s Minister of Oil and Minister of Electricity & Water said, “We have focused on identifying solutions to enhance the performance of the country’s power and water infrastructure as prioritized under the New Kuwait Vision 2035. Sabiya West is a significant facility as it is the largest power plant in the country and the successful upgrade installations present a way forward to achieve higher levels of productivity at lower operating costs using GE’s proven technologies. Completing the project at the onset of summer will also help us to meet peak seasonal demand.”

The project follows the signing of Principles of Cooperation between the MEW and GE in September 2017 to drive higher efficiency in Kuwait’s power sector and conduct training programs for Kuwaiti engineers. Once the implementation of the entire set of upgrade solutions across all three blocks of the plant is complete, the facility is expected to increase output by more than 7 per cent, leading to emissions savings equivalent to taking ~25,000 cars off Kuwait’s roads.

The collaboration was facilitated by the Kuwait Direct Investment Promotion Authority (KDIPA), the governmental entity responsible to encourage value added direct investments in Kuwait as mandated by Law No. 116 of 2013, in line with the country’s economic development goals mainly attaining to the sustainable diversification of the economy and supporting a leading role for the private sector in the national economy.

“KDIPA is here to continue to support added value direct investments that will enhance Kuwait’s competitiveness to transfer and adopt innovations that further modernize the country’s infrastructure in line with Kuwait’s Vision 2035. This initiative shows GE’s commitment to offering innovative technological solutions that meet the country’s objectives. KDIPA is keen to continue to play a facilitating role to support our partners to grow and expand their businesses in the country in order to continue to foster a dynamic private sector that leads Kuwait’s economy,” said Sheikh Dr. Meshaal Jaber Al Ahmad Al Sabah, Director General at KDIPA.

“GE has been honored to support the development of Kuwait’s power sector since the 1970s and play a critical role in enhancing citizens’ quality of life and laying the foundational infrastructure needed to build a modern economy,” said Joseph Anis, President & CEO of GE’s Gas Power Systems and Power Services businesses in the Middle East, North Africa and South Asia. “GE’s AGP solution has already been installed on more than 435 gas turbines across five continents, generating $775 million a year in benefits for power producers. We are excited to bring the transformational benefits of this solution to Kuwait and look forward to continuing to support New Kuwait Vision 2035 and its goals.” Sabiya West provides up to 23 per cent of Kuwait’s electricity, and is equipped with six GE 9FA gas turbines and three GE D11 steam turbines. Construction on the facility started in 2009 to address the urgent demand for power in the country through a GE and Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) joint venture. GE has provided operations and maintenance services at the plant since 2011.

GE-built technologies deliver over 40 per cent of Kuwait’s power today. The company’s investments in the country include the GE Kuwait Technology Center, which serves three core areas for energy sector customers across the Middle East and Africa: training, tooling and engineering.

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