GE Vernova and Ansaldo Energia announced major energy projects in Saudi Arabia and the UAE, reinforcing the Middle East's push for energy security and sustainability.
CEO of Ansaldo Energia, Mr. Fabrizio Fabbri, and the Minister of Energy and Infrastructure of the UAE, H.E. Suhail Mohamed Al Mazrouei. | Image Credit: Ansaldo Energia
Recent announcements from GE Vernova and Ansaldo Energia underscore a growing wave of energy investment across the Middle East, reflecting the region’s intensified push toward energy security, sustainability, and infrastructure modernization.
In Saudi Arabia, GE Vernova announced more details of the expansion of the Qurayyah Independent Power Plant (QIPP) in the Eastern Province.1 The company will supply five of its advanced H-Class gas turbines—three 7HA.03 and two 7HA.02 units—under a contract with Técnicas Reunidas and Orascom Construction, who are jointly managing the engineering, procurement, and construction of the project.
This 3-gigawatt combined-cycle gas-fired facility will not only expand electricity production, but also include the potential for post-combustion carbon capture capabilities, aligning with Saudi Vision 2030 and the Kingdom’s target of net-zero emissions by 2060. The facility is part of Saudi Arabia’s strategic goal to generate 50% of its electricity from gas and the remaining from renewable sources by 2030.
“The QIPP Expansion Project is a very ambitious project and we are proud to support its development,” said representatives of Hajr Two Electricity Co., the company behind the project, which is jointly owned by ACWA Power, the Saudi Electricity Company, and Haji Abdullah Alireza & Co. Ltd. The group signed a power purchase agreement with the Saudi Power Procurement Company earlier this year.
GE Vernova’s Joseph Anis, President & CEO of the company’s Gas Power business in Europe, Middle East, and Africa, emphasized the significance of the deal: “QIPP project is evidence of Saudi Arabia’s strong belief in the future of gas as it emits less CO₂ and other pollutants than oil-fueled power plants. We are delighted to deploy some of our most advanced power generation technologies, with the potential to integrate carbon capture solutions to help significantly reduce carbon dioxide emissions.”
Meanwhile, in the United Arab Emirates, Ansaldo Energia reinforced its commitment to the region during the World Utilities Congress in Abu Dhabi. CEO Fabrizio Fabbri met with H.E. Suhail Mohamed Al Mazrouei, UAE Minister of Energy and Infrastructure, to discuss energy transition strategies, sustainability, and infrastructure development.2
H.E. Al Mazrouei underscored the UAE’s commitment to energy diversification and international collaboration, stating the importance of “technological innovation and partnerships” in achieving the nation’s long-term goals.
Ansaldo Energia, with nearly 30 years of presence in the UAE, is playing a vital role in this transition. The company was recently awarded a contract to supply four gas turbines and four generators for the new 1 GW Al Dhafra power plant in Abu Dhabi, scheduled for commissioning by May 2027.
Together, these developments reflect a broader regional trend, with investment shifting toward efficient, flexible, and lower-emission energy infrastructure.
