H-class turbine to up efficiency of UAE’s aluminum industry

Siemens has signed a contract to build a power plant in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), bringing the company’s H-class turbine to the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) for the first time. Signed between Siemens, Dubal Holding and Mubadala Investment Company, the agreement will see the development of a highly-efficient, combined cycle power plant at Emirates Global Aluminum’s smelter in Jebel Ali, Dubai.

The over 600 megawatt (MW) plant will boost the efficiency of power production at the smelter, lowering emissions and reducing the consumption of natural gas.

The H-class power plant is expected to lower greenhouse gas emissions from EGA’s power generation at Jebel Ali by some 10 percent. NOx emissions are expected to be reduced by 58 percent.

Mubadala and Dubal Holding are to establish a joint venture to develop the new power plant at the smelter. EGA intends to buy the facility’s output for 25 years following commissioning. EGA is the largest industrial company in the UAE outside the oil and gas sector, and the third largest power producer in the country behind utilities DEWA and ADWEA.