JEDDAH: The Shuaibah Independent Water and Power Project (IWPP), 110 km south of Jeddah, has emerged as one of the world's largest greenfield IWPP, and is recognized as a model to further projects not only in Saudi Arabia but across the Middle East region.
It is leading the way in providing the much needed energy and water supplies to the burgeoning population of Saudi Arabia, while maintaining an environmentally conscious operating model, Siemens Saudi Arabia CEO Lutz Kahlbau told media representatives during a visit to the plant on Monday.
With a current population of 28 million that is expected to rise by 1.8 percent every year, Saudi Arabia ranks as one of the fastest growing populations in the world. As a result, the Kingdom is facing significant challenges in its energy supply.
Estimates see the country's demand for new power generating capacity and water increase at a staggering rate of 10 percent per annum in some areas. The investment in the water and power industries needed to meet such rapidly rising demand is estimated at $266.7 billion through to 2025, representing a growth of one third on current levels.
Opened in early 2009, the Shuaibah IWPP is the first independently operated and financed water and power project in Saudi Arabia.
The plant comprises three steam turbine-generator units, each rated at 400 MW, along with the associated electrical and instrumentation & control systems. 300MW of the energy produced is used internally for the power and desalination plant.
Each 400 MW unit comprises a high-pressure turbine (150 bar, 510°C), a two-flow intermediate pressure turbine (40 bar, 460°C), and a 497 MVA hydrogen-cooled generator with static excitation. Power is fed into the 380 kV grid via gas-insulated switchgear.
In terms of desalination, the Shuaibah IWPP processes 194.4 million gallons of seawater per day. The plant services the Makkah, Jeddah, Taif and Baha regions and is a cornerstone in the Kingdom's energy and water supply strategy.
Utilizing the latest in product technologies and solutions, the Shuaibah IWPP operates on a crude oil fired power plant system, but due to one of the most advanced Flue Gas Desulfurization systems in the world, its impact on the environment is drastically reduced, making it one of the greenest power plants in the region.
Through the Flue Gas Desulfurization system, flue gases, which are generated in the process of burning crude oil, are cleaned of harmful sulfur dioxide by processing it with 24m of seawater per second.
Awarded to Siemens Energy in Saudi Arabia by the Shuaibah Water and Electricity Company (SWEC), the Shuaibah IWPP project operates under a 20-year Build, Own and Operate (BOO) concession. The plant was built in conjunction with Siemens' consortium partner Doosan Heavy Industries & Construction Co. Ltd.
"The Shuaibah IWPP represents a significant and prestigious operation for Siemens within Saudi Arabia and is playing a large part in providing sustainable solutions to the Kingdom's growing demand for energy and water," Kahlbau added.
"The plant is also in line with Siemens' commitment to innovations and technical improvements in fossil power generation where we see a high potential to reduce carbon emissions," Kareem Al-Amoudi, vice president Energy Siemens Ltd, added. "Innovative technology generates more electricity from less fuel. Better efficiency along the conversion chain saves money and helps to protect the environment. That is what we see as the future not only in Saudi Arabia but the entire region."
With a presence in Saudi Arabia for more than 75 years, its turnkey competence and long track record, Siemens is committed to knowledge transfer and developing local expertise. As a world leader in the energy sector, one third of the power used in Saudi Arabia is generated and distributed by Siemens.
By K.S. RAMKUMAR
© Arab News 2010
