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DAMMAM – The electricity generation from Qurayyah Independents Power Plant in the Eastern Province makes up eight percent of the Kingdom’s total electricity power generation that reached 66,000 megawatts, according to Ziyad Al-Shammari, director of the plant. He said a total of SR14 billion has so far been spent on the plant since its inception seven years ago. “The gas and fuel oil fired combined cycle power station was able to increase its efficiency to 54 percent during 2016 compared to 33 percent in the previous year. The power generation from the plant reached 4,457 megawatts during summer season and rose to 4,850 megawatts in the winter season,” he noted.
Al-Shammari made the remarks during a tour of the plant facilities organized by the Saudi Electricity Company for the media persons from the Eastern Province. The combined cycle power station, the first of its kind in the world, is situated along the Arabian Gulf coast. The plant, which went on full stream in July 2014, consists of 18 advanced gas units with a capacity of 137 megawatts for each unit and six steam units with a capacity of 260 megawatts for each unit. Three gas units are linked with one steam unit and there are six power complexes within the premises.
The project is being developed on a ‘Build, own and operate’ basis with financing from several international and local banks. It is the most efficient power project of its kind in the Kingdom and one of the largest in the world. The plant achieved 82 percent Saudization, Al-Shammari said, adding that a vigorous plan is underway to achieve 100 percent Saudization in the near future.
© The Saudi Gazette 2016
