GE to service 7F gas turbines in Riyadh

GE Power has signed a multiyear service agreement with Saudi Electricity Co. (SEC) to provide maintenance, parts and repairs services for eight GE 7F.05 gas turbines at Riyadh Power Plant 12 (PP12).

The US$141 million contract will span a period of nine years.

GE supplied the 7F.05 gas turbines under a previous contract with SEC, with four units entering commercial operations in 2014, followed by the rest a year later. Operating in combined-cycle mode, the turbines add about 1800 MW to the national grid. Under the new service agreement, not only will GE’s team provide support on-site, but equipment at PP12 will also be monitored by the Saudi PowerGen Efficiency Center (SPEC), located in the GE Manufacturing & Technology Center in Dammam. A collaboration between GE and SEC, SPEC monitors over 500 power generation trains round-the-clock to enable seamless operations and reduce downtime.

The GE 7F.05 gas turbine achieves 60% efficiency, providing SEC with lower fuel costs and setting a new standard for F-class efficiency, the company said. The turbines also offer wide fuel flexibility including natural gas, distillate oil, Arabian Super Light crude and a variety of other fuels. GE is also providing 12 additional units of 7F.05 gas turbines for SEC’s PP13 and PP14 facilities.

In simple cycle, the 7F.05 gas turbine offers a start capacity of 241 MW in 11 minutes, 5 ppm NOx. The 14-stage compressor incorporates 3D aerodynamic airfoils with superfinish for improved efficiency and reduced degradation, the company said. Three stages of variable stator vanes are designed to enhance hot-day and part-load efficiency.