ALGIERS, Algeria--25 November 2008-- Taking another important step toward meeting Algeria's growing energy needs, state-owned power company Sonelgaz has signed service agreements with GE Energy worth more than US $1 billion. The service agreements will help to improve efficiency, output and reliability of 51 gas turbines installed in 13 power plants across the country.
The agreements include:
The Koudiet Eddraouch plant is expected to significantly increase Algeria's current installed generation capacity. The project is part of Sonelgaz's plans to boost its production capacity, to help meet Algeria's growing power needs.
Algeria's economy continues to rapidly expand. According to the Ministry of Energy and Mining, the country's installed generating capacity in 2006 was 7,077 megawatts, while its need for power is surging more than 7% annually and will reach a projected 14,000 megawatts by 2010.
"Today, energy companies around the globe are working to get the maximum efficiency out of their existing power plants. As they break ground on new projects they are also implementing service agreements to make the most of their investment," said Luis Ramírez, general manager of contractual services for GE Energy. "Our customized service agreements give customers the option of adding significant generation capacity to meet rising power demand in a shorter period of time. This gives them additional options as they work on their long-term strategy to build new power plants and add more power to the grid."
"Sonelgaz is pleased to announce this agreement for a long-term maintenance contract for its overall installed gas turbine fleet in Algeria," said Mr. Kinane-Daouadji, CEO, Sonelgaz Electricity Production. "The benefits of this long-term agreement include better plant efficiency and reliability and controlled maintenance costs. The agreement is made possible due to the trust we have in our business relationship and in the latest technology improvements developed by GE."
GE currently is managing CSAs for customers at more than 700 sites covering 2,000 turbines worldwide. Under the CSA for the Koudiet Eddraouch plant, GE will provide maintenance, including parts, services and repairs, for a fixed price over the life of the contract. Benefits to the customer will include performance guarantees, fixed maintenance costs and access to GE's latest technology and global experience. Similar to CSAs, GE's multi-year maintenance program for the additional 13 Sonelgaz plants will offer a full range of services to meet specific plant requirements, and will help extend the life of the aging gas turbine fleet.
Sonelgaz generates and distributes natural gas across Algeria. Established in 1969, Sonelgaz and its subsidiaries generate more than 7,900 megawatts of electricity a year.
About GE Energy
GE Energy (www.ge.com/energy) is one of the world's leading suppliers of power generation and energy delivery technologies, with 2007 revenue of $22 billion. Based in Atlanta, Georgia, GE Energy works in all areas of the energy industry including coal, oil, natural gas and nuclear energy; renewable resources such as water, wind, solar and biogas; and other alternative fuels. Numerous GE Energy products are certified under ecomagination, GE's corporate-wide initiative to aggressively bring to market new technologies that will help customers meet pressing environmental challenges.
About GE
GE is a diversified global infrastructure, finance and media company that is built to meet essential world needs. From energy, water, transportation and health to access to money and information, GE serves customers in more than 100 countries and employs more than 300,000 people worldwide. For more information, visit the company's Web site at http://www.ge.com. GE is Imagination at Work.
Howard Masto
Masto Public Relations
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Ken Darling
Masto Public Relations
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