- Innovation Technologies Designed to enable Saudi Arabia meet its growing power and water demands needed to fuel economic growth
JEDDAH, SAUDI ARABIA -- December 4, 2011 -- Demonstrating its continuing commitment to support Saudi Arabia meet its growing power and water needs for a rapidly growing economy, GE (NYSE: GE) is once again a key sponsor to the seventh edition of the Saudi Water & Power Forum (SWPF). At the Forum taking place in Jeddah from December 4-6, the company will showcase its innovative energy technologies which will support Saudi Arabia achieve its growth ambitions.
Electricity demand in the Kingdom is expected to increase by more than 30,000 megawatts by 2020, primarily driven by population growth, according to Saudi Electricity Company's (SEC). According to figures from the Saudi Ministry of Water and Electricity, the Kingdom's demand for water is rising more than seven percent annually. With its integrated and advanced portfolio of solutions, and more than 80 years of supporting the Kingdom with its energy needs, GE is well positioned to further support Saudi Arabia meet and exceed its energy efficiency and economic growth targets.
"As we continue to deliver advanced technology and invest in comprehensive technology and training centers to support the Kingdom's expanding energy infrastructure, GE remains committed to work closely with our customers in Saudi Arabia to meet the Kingdom's needs for long term efficiency and sustainability in the energy sector, which is critical to the future prosperity of the country and its people." said Joseph Anis, GE Energy's president and CEO for the Middle East.
Building on the 40-year relationship with SEC, GE recently signed an agreement to deliver gas turbine technology and services to six SEC power plant expansions in remote regions of the Kingdom. The six power plant expansions would add over 800 megawatts to the Saudi grid and generate reliable electricity to Saudis living in remote areas.
To further support the Kingdom to achieve its economic diversification and human capital development objectives outlined in the Saudi Vision 2020, GE recently inaugurated its newest SAR 1 billion energy technology center in Dammam, which consists of a high technology manufacturing hub for the entire energy value chain and an advanced training center, offering the latest technical and managerial training, designed to empower a growing pool of Saudi technologists and energy leaders. Other GE knowledge sharing initiatives include the GE Saudi Water & Process Technology Center in Dammam.
The Forum has played a key role in being the platform for industry leaders to come together and work in an effort to address many of the key issues facing the Saudi energy industry. This year GE will be represented by three key speakers in scheduled panel discussions on a variety of energy related topics;
- Daniel Roderick, senior vice president of GE Hitachi, will participate in the panel discussion as part of the "Challenges & Opportunities in Nuclear Energy" presentation on December 4.
- Paul Browning, president and CEO, Thermal Products for GE Energy, will participate in a panel discussion as part of the "Strategic Transformation & Achievements" presentation on December 5.
- Robert Hultz, Region Executive of GE's Water and Process Technologies business, Middle East and North Africa, will take part in the panel discussion "Building a Knowledge Economy" on December 5.
GE's booth (G03) at the SWPF supports the show's theme of "Growth Through Innovation" and will demonstrate GE's broad range of energy technology solutions and services across the power, water, and industrial sectors, that are designed to support the Kingdom's effort to move forward towards a sustainable energy future. Some of GE's technologies that will be showcased at the SWPF include the GE's advanced power generation technologies and services, including the ecomagination certified ZeeWeed module for water reuse as well as MyFleetTM Plant Performance Monitor, empowering thermal power-generating plant owners and operators to make more informed decisions and identifying opportunities for operating efficiency gains. GE is also showcasing the SecoGearTM metal clad switchgear and SecoVacTM embedded pole vacuum circuit breaker solution, typically used in power plants and substations to provide control and protection for transformers, capacitors and motors. SecoGearTM is designed for indoor applications in industry, mining, oil & gas and infrastructure.
About GE's energy presence in Saudi Arabia
Since supplying Saudi Arabia with turbo-machinery for its first oil expedition in 1942, GE has been a growth technology partner to the Kingdom. Today, GE supports the generation of half the Kingdom's electricity with over 500 GE turbines installed around at various sites around Saudi Arabia. GE technology supports the production of 180 million liters of clean water which is delivered to the remotest corners of the Kingdom. Working closely with Miahona, a subsidiary of the Arabian Company for Water and Power Development Ltd. (ACWA Holding), GE further supports the Kingdom's goal for sustaining a reliable water supply and meet wastewater management regulations. GE has three offices and seven energy facilities, and over 800 employees in Saudi Arabia, putting us closer to our customers and providing them with faster response.
Continuing GE's over 130-year history of successful development in human capital around the globe, GE has steadily expanded our knowledge-sharing initiatives in Saudi. The company has developed several successful co-op programs with leading Saudi institutions such as the King Abdullah University of Science & Technology. Most recently, GE extended its highly successful Graduate Management Program (GMP) to the Kingdom. To date, there are 20 GMPs within GE Energy. Further strengthening its commitment to provide training for Saudi engineers and other industry professionals, signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Saudi Arabia's Technical and Vocational Training Corporation (TVTC) to expand the GE joint technical program (GE JTP). The expanded GE JTP aims to annually train up to 100 students, selected from leading technical colleges across the Kingdom.
Kelly Home
ASDA’A Burson-Marsteller
kelly.home@bm.com
+971 4 4507 600
Nivine William
ASDA’A Burson-Marsteller
nivine.william@bm.com
+971 4 4507 600
Caroline Wehbeh
GE Communications Leader, North Africa
caroline.wehbeh@ge.com
+971 4 429 6318