Riyadh – Mubasher: GE Vernova has secured turbine orders totalling 3.8 gigawatts (GW) from two new gas-fired power plants in Saudi Arabia, aligned with the country's renewable and emissions targets.

The company booked orders in the first quarter (Q1) for six 7HA.03 and two 7E.03 gas turbines from construction firm SEPCOIII for the Taiba 1 and Qassim 1 plants, according to a press release.

Located near Madinah and Buraydah respectively, the plants are expected to deliver power starting from 2027 under 21-year services deals with ACWA Power unit NOMAC.

Four 7HA.03 units will be assembled locally at GE's Dammam joint venture facility, marking their first completion in the kingdom.

The plants are set to be among the most efficient in Saudi Arabia and can integrate carbon capture to significantly reduce emissions.

“We expect to see increased longer term demand for gas plants integrated with carbon capture technologies, which is key to reducing emissions from fossil fuels and helping fight climate change,” said a spokesperson of SEPCOIII.

Joseph Anis, President and CEO of GE Vernova's Gas Power business in Europe, Middle East, and Africa, stated: “This project, which marks our largest single order for 7HA.03 gas turbines to date in the region, is expected to open up a new chapter for gas power generation in Saudi Arabia.”

“As an innovation leader in the path towards decarbonisation, we are proud of developing our first 7HA.03 project at GESAT and boosting the localisation of the gas turbines industry in Saudi Arabia, in alignment with the Kingdom’s goals for more diversified and sustainable economic growth,” Anis added.

Marco Arcelli, CEO of ACWA Power, commented: “We have developed a productive and successful role-model relationship with GE Vernova that will enable our collective organisations to deliver meaningful innovation and energy contributions to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.”