GE Hosts ‘Transforming Power’ Event, Convening Industry Experts Unlocking the Future of the Power Sector

Hosted by GE, the ‘Transforming Power’ conference brought together more than 200 global and regional energy sector experts in Dubai on Monday, October 16, 2017, to share experiences of industry-leading projects from around the world, identify the next generation of solutions to boost power sector efficiency and discuss new business models for the industry. The exclusive event was held in collaboration with MEED and highlighted trends and innovations in the energy ecosystem that can help unlock further productivity, diversification and operational efficiency in the industry across the Middle East, North Africa and Pakistan.

His Excellency Eng. Khalid Al Tuaimi, EVP – Generation at Saudi Electricity Company, shared insights on the transformations in Saudi Arabia’s power sector while addressing a panel discussion on ‘Energy Ecosystem Shifts: Global Transformations and Local Impacts’. He said, “In line with Saudi Vision 2030 and what we see in many other parts of the world, Saudi Arabia has undertaken a process of energy sector diversification and improvements to the existing infrastructure to enhance efficiency and asset utilization. We have also adopted digital industrial solutions that are helping to make our power systems more reliable and flexible with reduced unplanned downtime and maintenance costs.”

Joseph Anis, President & CEO of GE’s Power Services business in the Middle East & Africa presented big shifts and macro-trends shaping the energy sector in the region. “Despite the evolving economic environment, we see an intense appetite for innovation and the desire to learn and lead by example across MENA and Pakistan. Power sector operators today require partners who can look at the entire electricity value network – from power generation, to transmission and distribution, to consumption – as well as across a range of solutions, to help them unlock the greatest benefits. GE is honoured and excited to work with our customers and other stakeholders throughout this value chain to drive the digital industrial transformation of the power sector in the region,” he said.

GE has over eight decades of partnership in the Kingdom. It has more than a 4,000-strong workforce, including Baker Hughes, a GE company, with 50 per cent of its talent in highly skilled engineering and technology roles. GE also aims to double leadership, technical and engineering training across sectors to over 10,000 Saudi professionals through local and global programs. A key partner in the Kingdom’s power sector, GE has more than 500 gas turbines installed in Saudi Arabia, which provide over 50 percent of the country's electricity.