Senior FEWA Executives Visit the World’s Most Efficient Combined Cycle Power Plant, Powered by GE’s 9HA Gas Turbines

Press release

Published October 22nd, 2017 - 08:49 GMT

The plant experts led a tour of the facility and presented the features of GE’s HA technology.

A team of senior executives from the UAE’s Federal Electricity & Water Authority (FEWA) have visited Électricité de France’s (EDF) Bouchain Power Plant in France. The facility was recognized last year as the world’s most efficient combined cycle power plant based on an achieved efficiency rate of 62.22 percent and powered by GE’s 9HA gas turbines.

The delegation from FEWA included Mohammad Saleh, General Director; Othman Juma Al Ali, Director of Finance Directorate; Eng. Adel El Sayed Hassane, Manager of Engineering & Projects; and Khawlah Sultan Al Ali, Manager of Wholesale Transactions. Also present was Marina Hashim, Managing Director & CEO of EDF – Middle East.

The plant experts led a tour of the facility and presented the features of GE’s HA technology, its practical application at Bouchain as well as its impact on improving grid stabilization and efficient dispatch. The delegation was provided in-depth insights on the industry-leading efficiency standards that can be achieved through GE’s HA technology as well as details on its quick start up, rapid load changes and low emission levels, which make it an excellent fit for meeting the UAE’s energy needs.

Mohammad Saleh, General Director of FEWA, said, “FEWA’s mission includes providing world-class electricity and water services, while developing the necessary infrastructure to fulfil the growing demand in the emirates. We are continuously evaluating world-leading technologies and best practices to help meet the need for efficient, reliable and affordable power while reducing environmental emissions. The tour of the Bouchain plant underlined the effectiveness of GE’s HA technology in potentially helping us to meet these goals.”

The result of US $2 billion in research and development, GE’s HA technology is the world’s most efficient gas turbine and has set industry benchmarks in the cost-effective conversion of fuel to electricity. It has undergone full-speed, full-load validation tests at extreme conditions well beyond those encountered while in service, and has completed more than 30,000 operating hours. More than 70 HA units have been ordered to date by more than 25 customers across 15 countries, including the US, Brazil, Japan, Bahrain, China and others.

Ghassan Barghout, President & CEO of GE’s Gas Power Systems business in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), said, “It is our honor to have FEWA’s senior delegation on a tour of the Bouchain Power Plant where our HA technology’s world record-setting efficiency delivers tremendous value for EDF and consumers. This innovative technology is a prime example of our ability to develop advanced power generation technologies alongside our digital capabilities. With proven results globally, GE’s HA gas turbines have the potential to transform the region’s power sector and significantly contribute to the UAE National Vision of 2021 and the UAE Energy Plan 2050.”

In addition to ground-breaking efficiency, the HA technology also offers industry-leading flexibility. It allows customers to maintain stable power production and to reliably accommodate grid variations through quick start up, rapid load changes and other features. It can reach from start to full load in less than 30 minutes, delivering reliable and flexible operations not just for large power plants and utilities but also for captive power plants or small grids.

Furthermore, it offers considerable fuel flexibility, accommodating both gas and liquid fuels with wide gas variability, including high ethane and liquefied natural gas. This offers valuable cost savings to customers, as the turbines can run on the most economically available fuel for a given operation.

The technology is already being actively deployed by power plant operators in the MENA and Pakistan region. It will be used to power the world’s largest single-site smelter at Aluminium Bahrain (ALBA) and several units have already entered commercial operations in Pakistan.

Background Information

Federal Electricity and Water Authority

Federal Electricity & Water Authority (FEWA) was established in 1999 under the Federal Law No. 31 of 1999 to carry out the duties assigned by Ministry of Electricity and Water in achieving several objectives. Its Main objective is to cater the needs of Electricity and potable Water for the population of the Northern Emirates.To achieve this main objective FEWA has to create a balance between the cost of production and the distribution price in consideration with unifying the existing variable pricing strategies, study the consumption behaviors and create awareness to overcome the waste of electricity and water by consumers. FEWA also has to develop and improve revenue collection processes. One of its objectives is also to provide qualification and training to the citizens making them able to work in FEWA.

Company Profile

General Electric

GE provides knowledge, capacity building and training to empower the region’s workforce. Thirty percent of the Middle East and North Africa’s population is between the ages of 15 and 29. In the UAE, we’re partnering with the Mubadala Development Company to build local capacity by empowering local talent through trainings at our Leadership Acceleration for Business (LAB) initiative.

With 76 nationalities working in the region, GE proudly fosters diversity in the workforce. To accelerate the advancement of women, the Women’s Network, an affinity network at GE, creates opportunities for female employees to cultivate their leadership and business skills. GE is not just watching as the region realizes its future; we’re partnering to help build it.