Saudi Arabia is experiencing a surge in both GDP growth and energy production needs. At the same time, the region’s Saudi Vision 2030 plan calls for a 35% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions and a balanced energy mix of 50% renewable resources and 50% natural gas—with a 2060 pledge for net zero. GE is committed to helping meet these goals with technologies that can support this energy mix—as well as lower emissions even further through hydrogen and carbon capture solutions.
GE has the latest hydrogen-capable gas turbine technologies to help power Saudi Arabia’s energy needs while reducing emissions to help meet the region’s decarbonization goals. GE is the world leader in the application of fuels containing hydrogen in gas turbines. Over the last 30 years, our turbines have logged more than 8 million operating hours running on hydrogen with concentrations ranging from 5% to 95% (by volume). This experience has helped GE become one of the world leaders in the application of fuels containing hydrogen in gas turbines.
Most recently, GE participated in a successful “proof of concept” project to run an LM6000 unit on hydrogen-blended fuel at the Sharm El Sheikh Power Plant in Egypt—a first in Africa. Learnings from the Sharm El Sheikh experience will be studied and shared by the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI), through the Low-Carbon Resources Initiative. In addition, our aero hydrogen capabilities were in the spotlight in New York, where the New York Power Authority (NYPA) is conducting a pilot project to temporarily replace natural gas with a blend of “green hydrogen”—which produces no CO2—and natural gas at its Brentwood Power station on Long Island. The test results found that the introduction of hydrogen reduced the power plant’s emissions while continuing to operate reliably.
We introduced our H-class gas turbine technology to the industry more than 25 years ago. Our HA technology has accumulated more than 1.6 million operating hours (as of November 2022) at more than 30 customer sites globally, and 2/3 of our HA operating fleet has 16K+ operating hours. Today, GE’s H-class gas turbine portfolio has the capability to burn up to 50% by volume of hydrogen when blended with natural gas, with a path to 100% hydrogen.
7HA gas turbines are up to 50% hydrogen (H2) capable with a technology pathway to 100%. The 7HA.03 gas turbine is the most efficient 60Hz gas turbine in the world. This latest technology features more than 64% combined-cycle efficiency, higher than any other competing technology available today.
The LM2500XPRESS can run on 35% hydrogen, and when an SCR is added to the unit to reduce emissions even further, NOx can be reduced to 2.5 ppm and CO to 4ppm.
The LM6000 offers 99%+ reliability and 98% availability. It can start up in 5 minutes, and its dual-fuel capabilities provides fuel flexibility and helps customers meet emissions limits.
GE has long supported Saudi Arabia with the latest power generation technologies, talent development and economic diversification programs, and value-add exports. With up to 470 GE gas turbines already providing ~45 GW of power to the region, and one of the world’s largest gas turbine service centers situated locally, GE is providing for our customers throughout Saudi Arabia—and beyond.
Opened in 2011, the GE Manufacturing and Technology Center is playing a strong role in helping to achieve the goals outlined under Saudi Vision 2030 by nurturing local talent and suppliers, further diversifying Saudi Arabia’s economic base, promoting exports, and much more.
We are committed to providing power to the communities that need it the most, while developing our teams and embracing diversity and inclusion. This is the story behind the Advanced Gas Path upgrade on two 9F gas turbines executed in Saudi Arabia and delivered to our customer in Bangladesh.