GE wins turnkey project in Saudi Arabia
GE responsible for designing, manufacturing, construction and commissioning at the largest desalination plant in the world
Boston-headquartered General Electric (GE) has announced that its renewable energy unit has won a major contract by Spanish infrastructure group Acciona to deliver a turnkey grid substation for a desalination plant coming up in Saudi Arabia.
Acciona is part of the consortium leading the development of the world’s largest desalination plant, which includes Marubeni, Abdul Latif Jameel Commercial Development Company and Rawafid Alhadarah Holding Company.
GE Renewable Energy’s Grid Solutions will be responsible for designing, manufacturing, construction, and commissioning solution for the plant located in the Red Sea coastal city of Shuqaiq in Saudi Arabia.
According to a statement from the company, GE will provide a 380/132 kV GIS substation, including power transformers, grid automation and telecommunication systems that will complete the electricity connection in the Shuqaiq area, providing power to the new desalination plant loads.
Jesús Sancho, general director at Acciona ME, said: “Finding the right partners is key to ensuring both the viability and sustainability of these projects of critical national importance.”
“As Saudi Arabia continues to focus on development of core infrastructure, we are fortunate to be in a position to partner with GE to help the Kingdom realize its goals. The impact of Shuqaiq 3 will be felt for years to come, and we are proud to play a part in its foundation,” he added.
Shuqaiq 3 will eventually produce 450,000 cubic meters of water, or enough to fill 180 Olympic-size swimming pools per day, once completed in 2021. In a significant step in support of Saudi Arabia’s water infrastructure, the plant will also provide fresh water for over 1.8 million people.
Mohammed Mohaisen, president and CEO, GE’s Grid Solutions for MENA and Turkey, said: “With a vision as ambitious and all-encompassing as that in Saudi Arabia, there is the need to ensure a sustainable approach to the development of major projects associated with it, one which merges the necessary technology with critical local expertise.”
“We are thrilled to be using our more than 70 years of local expertise in Saudi Arabia and our exceptional grid technology in serving millions of people throughout the nation,” he added.
The partnership with Acciona is the second desalination project by GE’s Grid Solutions business in KSA since 2018, having previously led the Rabigh project in the Kingdom.
