GE brings region’s first heavy-duty 9HA gas turbine to Bhikki combined cycle power plant built by Harbin to help meet Pakistan’s energy demand

In an effort to avoid blackouts and meet the power needs of nearly 190 million people, the Punjab government in Pakistan is working to provide more affordable, reliable power as quickly as possible. To help reduce the estimated 5 gigawatt (GW) energy shortfall, GE will provide two high efficiency 9HA.01 gas turbines and associated equipment, in its first such order in the Middle East and North Africa region, to Harbin Electric, a longtime business associate, for the new 1.1 GW Bhikki combined cycle power plant. Harbin will handle engineering, procurement and construction of the plant.

The Bhikki plant will generate the equivalent power needed to supply more than six million Pakistani homes, and is likely to be the largest, most efficient power plant in Pakistan. It is expected to enter commercial operation in 2017. This project marks the first HA orders in the Middle East and North Africa Region and the 20th and 21st worldwide.

“We are committed to meeting the growing demand for power to drive industrial growth and all-round economic progress as well as to promote the welfare of our people,” says Ahad Khan Cheema CEO – Quaid-e-Azam Thermal Power Limited, on behalf of the Government of Punjab. “As part of this, we are not only investing in new plants but also strengthening public-private collaboration to ensure that advanced technologies are deployed to meet the growing demand. GE and Harbin are moving forward with an accelerated timeframe to add additional power to the grid.”

“The Bhikki combined cycle plant is a strong example of technical collaboration between GE and Harbin in providing the most advanced combined cycle power plant solutions,” said Mr. Guo Yu, Chairman of HEI. “Deploying GE’s advanced HA technology is a game changer for the industry as it supports the government’s goal to ensure affordable, reliable and efficient power generation to meet growing demand.”

Mohammed Mohaisen, President & CEO, GE Power Generation Products Middle East and North Africa, added: “The 9HA gas turbine is an industry game changer bringing significant enhancements in productivity and efficiency. Providing the first 9HA heavy duty gas turbines in the MENA region to the Bhikki plant in Pakistan demonstrates our keenness to deliver the best-in-class solution for supporting the country in meeting its energy requirements using the most efficient technology available today.”

Sarim Sheikh, President and CEO of GE Pakistan, explained: “As a committed partner in the all-round progress and development of Pakistan, we understand how mission-critical it is to bring the latest technologies. Addressing the shortage of electricity is imperative to boost the industrial infrastructure of the country and to promote the well-being of the people. Through our technology collaboration for Bhikki, we are confident of setting a new industry benchmark in the country’s power sector.”

With the Bhikki plant, 21 HA units have been ordered and 68 HA units have been technically selected* by customers around the world. GE’s H-class technology has been embraced by customers in Korea, Japan, the United Kingdom, Brazil, the United States, France, Russia, Germany, Turkey, Egypt, Pakistan and Argentina.

GE’s HA gas turbines provide a combination of the most output, highest efficiency and best operational flexibility, and lead the industry in total lifecycle value. The 9HA.01 offers a net combined-cycle efficiency of more than 61 percent and leads the industry with cleaner, reliable and cost-effective conversion of fuel to electricity.

The 9HA gas turbine completed off grid, full speed, full load validation testing in January 2015 at the world’s largest, most thorough gas turbine test stand located at GE’s manufacturing facility in Greenville, SC, USA. This testing facility has attracted industry visitors from around the world. 

Among key agreements in the country, GE has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the government to develop Pakistan’s energy resources to meet the projected demand of 54,000 megawatts by the year 2020. GE will assist the government in achieving its goals by engaging in Pakistan's energy, transportation and water sectors and will work to identify potential sources of funding and explore potential investment opportunities in those sectors.