Dewa, GE strengthen long-term partnership

Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (Dewa) has signed an agreement valued at Dh192.7 million with GE Power for an advanced technology upgrade of the GE 9E gas turbines at the Jebel Ali Power & Desalination E Station, according to sources at GE Power.
The agreement supports efforts to achieve the Dubai Carbon Abatement Strategy, as well as improving Dewa's production efficiency, which increased by 28.86 per cent between 2006 and 2017. The necessary improvements will be made to extend the life cycle of the gas turbines for an additional 12 years, increase production, improve efficiency and reduce emissions from these turbines.
Work on the Advanced Gas Path (AGP) upgrade will commence in the first quarter of 2019 and is scheduled for completion in the first quarter of 2021. The AGP gas turbine upgrade solution is expected to deliver tremendous value through a range of performance advancements. For example, it can increase the output of 9E fleet by up to 6.2 per cent. This technology is also installed in over 435 gas turbines operating in more than 39 countries in five continents.
Joseph Anis, President & CEO of GE's Power Services business in Africa, India and the Middle East, said: "Dewa is our long-term partner and we are committed to supporting the organisation in delivering highly efficient and reliable power to meet the sustainable development vision of Dubai and the UAE. The AGP upgrade at the three GE gas turbines will bring unprecedented value to the Jebel Ali Power Station E by increasing its lifecycle, and helping achieve improved output and lower maintenance intervals. We leverage the potential offered by digital technology to bring transformational change to the power sector, meeting the growth vision of our partners."
Additionally, GE is working with Dewa on ambitious projects including its flagship Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park and Hassyan Clean Coal project as well as path-breaking initiatives that will transform the energy landscape. GE is also partnering with Dewa on 3D printing, additive manufacturing and digital technologies. This will support Dewa's goals of strengthening the R&D Centre at the Mohammed Bin Rashid Solar Park that focuses on the production of energy from solar, smart grid integration, energy efficiency and water.
Notes Abdurrahman Khalidi, Chief Technical Officer for GE Power in Africa, India and the Middle East, "The AGP technology can deliver short-cycle financial returns for power producers, and reflects GE's commitment to delivering the industry's most advanced technologies, collaborating with customers to refine solutions over time as market demands and business needs shift, and applying high-impact solutions across the portfolio to maximise customer value."
As the dynamics of energy markets continue shifting, GE is responding to customer needs by innovating with new performance enhancements on the AGP solution targeted to very specific operational needs. - suchitra@khaleejtimes.com