GE’s Power Plant on Wheels Brings Much-Needed Electricity to Recovering Yemen

GE (NYSE: GE) signed an agreement with Calik Enerji to support Yemen’s electricity infrastructure by supplying two units of its advanced TM2500 aeroderivative gas turbine generators. The units will generate up to 60 megawatts (MW) of electricity, helping to provide power quickly to meet the demand for electricity in Aden. They were shipped from GE’s facility in Hungary to Yemen and are currently under installation for power delivery before the upcoming summer.

GE and Calik Energy’s ability to execute the project within just a few months of signing the agreement, despite the challenging circumstances on the ground, will help the Government of Yemen in its efforts to supply essential infrastructure and rebuild the economy following a prolonged period of instability. The project is being funded by the Qatar Fund for Development (QFFD) for the Power Electricity Corporation (PEC) of Yemen’s Al Hiswa Power Plant.

Özgür Sarikaya, of Çalık Enerji, said, “Al Hiswa Power Plant is of strategic value to Yemen to help meet the growing requirement for reliable power to foster industrial growth and the daily needs of people in the community. The expansion of the plant using GE’s advanced aeroderivative gas turbine generators will enable us to deliver power quickly and with great reliability. These turbines have proved their efficiency and offer fuel flexibility, which is crucial in driving towards uninterrupted power generation.”

“Our agreement to deliver advanced gas turbine generators underlines our competencies in providing reliable power at source within four to five months, even in remote and difficult terrains,” added Ghassan Barghout, President & CEO of GE’s Gas Power Systems - Sales, in the Middle East & North Africa. “We are committed to improving the well-being of people by working with regional stakeholders to support Yemen in building up its electricity infrastructure after times of significant volatility, despite considerable logistical challenges. This marks the first sale of GE’s aeroderivative units in Yemen, and we look forward to further projects that can assist the country in developing its electricity infrastructure.”

Described as GE’s ‘Power Plant on Wheels’, the TM2500 aeroderivative gas turbine generator functions as a fast power solution and is often used to provide emergency power. With easy installation, it is a complete turnkey energy solution that provides power wherever and whenever it is needed. It can run on gaseous and liquid fuels without major hardware modifications, and has a start cycle of as little as 10 minutes. At Al Hiswa, the generators will be operated on liquid distillate fuel.

The TM2500 has a compact footprint that allows for higher power density, and its lighter weight assures enhanced mobility. It also has 50 per cent lower emissions than diesel generators when operating on gas, as well as scalable technology solutions that allow for gradual expansion without major capital expenditure costs.

GE and Çalık Enerji are collaborating on and have successfully executed several projects in the region, from Iraq to Libya, to add over 2,500 MW of power in the Middle East and North Africa. GE has over 80 years of presence in the Middle East and North Africa, supporting the region’s infrastructure needs in power generation, oil & gas, water processing, aviation and healthcare.