Riyadh - Mubasher: Saudi Electricity Company (SEC) has awarded a five-star rating to Waad Al Shamal integrated solar and combined cycle power plant project for Environment, Health, and Safety (EHS) standard.

Waad Al Shamal has become one of the Saudi power plants under construction to obtain such rating for EHS performance by SEC, according to a press release on Tuesday.

GE is providing turnkey services, including engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) works and supplying four GE 7F gas turbines, along with other equipment for the project.

Commenting on the award, president and CEO of SEC, Fahad H. Al Sudairi, said, “At SEC, we continuously assess progress against strict measures meant to ensure occupational safety and health across all our offices, existing facilities, and projects.”

SEC has set rigorous EHS protocols for project sites around workplace hygiene and housekeeping, lifting heavy loads, lighting and ventilation, waste management, and other areas while conducting regular audits by the Industrial Security Department.

In an attempt to facilitate safe working environment amidst the coronavirus (COVID-19), strict precautions were implemented, including thermal screening of everyone entering the site, daily disinfection and cleaning activities, and COVID-19 awareness sessions.

Furthermore, president and CEO of GE Gas Power MENA and South Asia, Joseph Anis, remarked, “We are honoured by the 5-star award granted by SEC and remain committed to further improving EHS standards at Waad Al Shamal and other GE projects, to set new benchmarks on power plant management – from construction to operations.”

In late 2015, GE won the contract for SEC’s Waad Al Shamal project, which also comprises 50 megawatts (MW) of solar power.

All four GE 7F gas turbines at the plant can now operate in simple cycle configuration. Once complete, the 1,390 MW Combined cycle plant will provide the equivalent power needed to supply more than 500,000 Saudi homes.