GE Vernova, SEC, Alfanar Construction Begin Fuel Conversion at PP10 Power Plant

GE Vernova’s Gas Power business has started the initial phase of a fuel conversion project at Saudi Electricity Company’s (SEC) PP10 plant in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Converting from liquid fuels to natural gas will lower the plant’s carbon emissions, as well as enhance the turbines’ fuel flexibility, efficiency, and power output.

"We look forward to working with Alfanar and GE Vernova to convert our power generation assets to natural gas, a lower carbon intensity fuel compared to the crude oil and distillate that currently power the plant," said Khaled AlGanoon, CEO at SEC. "This project will help us reduce the carbon footprint and emissions of our operations at PP10, in alignment with Saudi Arabia’s goal to generate a balanced mix of electricity from renewable energy and natural gas by 2030."

SEC’s PP10 power plant is built on an area of 5 million square meters and powered by 40 GE Vernova 7E gas turbines in a combined-cycle configuration. PP10 produces approximately 3.5 GW of electricity, which is the equivalent capacity required to power up to 875,000 homes in Saudi Arabia.

Saudi Electricity Company's PP10 power plant; Image Credits: SEC

"With electricity demand being high across the Kingdom due to factors like hot and harsh environmental conditions, a growing population, and the concentration of energy-intensive industries such as oil & gas, smelters, and petrochemicals, the availability of firm power on demand is critical in Saudi Arabia,” said Joseph Anis, President & CEO of Europe, Middle East & Africa for Gas Power at GE Vernova. “Reducing the intensity of carbon emissions from power generation activities in the country is an important part of addressing the climate challenge.”

Upon completion of the project, each 7E gas turbine’s efficiency is expected to increase, resulting in lower fuel consumption and cost per MWh of power generated, in addition to greater electricity output per unit of fuel consumed. GE Vernova’s turbine units will be able to deliver flexible power that can be increased or decreased as needed, while maintaining longer inspection intervals and component life compared to liquid fuel-powered gas turbines.

The fuel conversion project will leverage the expertise of GE Saudi Advanced Turbines (GESAT)—a joint investment between Dussur and GE Vernova to manufacture heavy-duty gas turbines and components in Saudi Arabia. GESAT is tasked with manufacturing gas fuel skids for the project, which contain control valves, piping, and accessories to manage the flow and pressure of the gas supplied to turbines.