GE HA turbines to be efficient power plants in the Middle East utility sector

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) first two GE HA gas turbines have been delivered and are currently undergoing installation and commissioning works at the 1.8 gigawatts (GW) Hamriyah Independent Power Plant. The project is expected to be efficient power plants in the Middle East’s utility sector, contributing towards UAE Energy Strategy’s goal of reducing the carbon footprint of power generation. GE is supplying a total of three 9HA.01 units and other power generation technologies for the facility and will also provide parts, repairs and maintenance services for power generation assets at the site.  

Co-developers GE Energy Financial Services (GE EFS) and Japan’s Sumitomo Corporation (Sumitomo) signed an approximately 25-year Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with Sharjah Electricity, Water and Gas Authority (SEWA) in 2018 to develop, build and operate the plant. Following financial close in 2019, co-developers along with Shikoku Electric Power Company and Sharjah Asset Management (SAM), the investment arm of the Government of Sharjah, formed a joint venture company – Sharjah Hamriyah Independent Power Company (SHIPCO) – to build, own and operate the project, which is the first independent combined cycle power plant in Sharjah.

Al Suwaidi, Chairman, SEWA, said: “Hamriyah project fulfils the vision of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan Bin Mohammed Al-Qassimi, Member of Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, to meet the emirate of Sharjah’s electricity demand and SEWA 2030 Roadmap to boost the installed capacity to 4,600 megawatts. The delivery of GE’s H-class gas turbines at the Hamriyah Power Plant marks a significant milestone for the region’s utility sector. It brings us one step closer to delivering on our commitment to provide on-demand, affordable power to meet the needs of Sharjah and to reduce the environmental impact of power generation activities in the emirate.”

Joseph Anis, President and CEO, GE Gas Power, Europe, Middle East and Africa, said: “GE’s H-class turbines deliver flexible, efficient and reliable power to millions of people around the world. We are delighted to bring this record-setting technology to Sharjah to provide more efficient electricity, powering growth for communities across the emirate, and supporting the decarbonization goals outlined under the UAE Energy Strategy.”

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