07 October 2010
JEDDAH: Quiet energy flows from Shuaibah. That is the thought that strikes one on a visit to the water and power plant 110 kilometers south of Jeddah.It is so calm and quiet all around that one can hardly realize the Shuaibah Independent Water and Power Project is providing much needed energy and water to Saudi Arabia while maintaining an environmentally conscious operating model.
The plant, which processes 194.4 million gallons of seawater per day and serves Makkah, Jeddah, Taif and Baha region, is a cornerstone in the Kingdom's energy and water supply strategy, said Omar A. Flaihan, executive managing officer of Shuaibah Water and Electricity Company, which owns the project.
Seimens, which operates Shuaibah, arranged a media visit Monday.
Lutz Kahlbau, president and CEO, Siemens Ltd., Saudi Arabia, said at a press conference that the plant, which cost an estimated USD$ 2.45 billion, supports the nation's growth.
"Shuaibah represents a significant and prestigious operation for Siemens within Saudi Arabia and it is playing a large part in providing sustainable solutions to the Kingdom's growing demand for energy and water," he said.
Kareem Al-Amoudi, senior vice president and country manager of Siemens Energy in Saudi Arabia, said the plant is in line with the company's commitment to innovations and technical improvements in plants that use fossil fuels for power generation and have a high potential for reducing carbon emissions.
"Innovative technology generates more electricity from less fuel," he said. "Better efficiency along the conversion chain saves money and helps protect the environment. That is what we see as the future not only in Saudi Arabia but the entire region." Siemens generates and distributes one-third of Saudi Arabia's power, Al-Amoudi noted. "Shuaibah is recognized as a model for further projects in Saudi Arabia and across the Middle East," he said.
Al Amoudi said tests show that the use of the best technology available is such that Shuaibah generates very little air pollution.
Shuaibah, which opened in 2009, is the first independently operated and financed water and power project in Saudi Arabia and one of the world's largest greenfield projects.
Flaihan said legal reforms in the Kingdom have set the stage for independent water and power projects. He added that his company might pursue an initial public offering in three years.
Kahlbau explained that the plant comprises three steam turbine-generator units, each rated at 400 megawatts, along with electrical, instrumentation and control systems.
He said 300 megawatts of the energy produced is used internally for the power and desalination plants. He said each 400-megawatt unit comprises a high-pressure turbine, a two-flow intermediate pressure turbine, and a hydrogen-cooled generator with static excitation.
JEDDAH: Quiet energy flows from Shuaibah. That is the thought that strikes one on a visit to the water and power plant 110 kilometers south of Jeddah.It is so calm and quiet all around that one can hardly realize the Shuaibah Independent Water and Power Project is providing much needed energy and water to Saudi Arabia while maintaining an environmentally conscious operating model.
The plant, which processes 194.4 million gallons of seawater per day and serves Makkah, Jeddah, Taif and Baha region, is a cornerstone in the Kingdom's energy and water supply strategy, said Omar A. Flaihan, executive managing officer of Shuaibah Water and Electricity Company, which owns the project.
Seimens, which operates Shuaibah, arranged a media visit Monday.
Lutz Kahlbau, president and CEO, Siemens Ltd., Saudi Arabia, said at a press conference that the plant, which cost an estimated USD$ 2.45 billion, supports the nation's growth.
"Shuaibah represents a significant and prestigious operation for Siemens within Saudi Arabia and it is playing a large part in providing sustainable solutions to the Kingdom's growing demand for energy and water," he said.
Kareem Al-Amoudi, senior vice president and country manager of Siemens Energy in Saudi Arabia, said the plant is in line with the company's commitment to innovations and technical improvements in plants that use fossil fuels for power generation and have a high potential for reducing carbon emissions.
"Innovative technology generates more electricity from less fuel," he said. "Better efficiency along the conversion chain saves money and helps protect the environment. That is what we see as the future not only in Saudi Arabia but the entire region." Siemens generates and distributes one-third of Saudi Arabia's power, Al-Amoudi noted. "Shuaibah is recognized as a model for further projects in Saudi Arabia and across the Middle East," he said.
Al Amoudi said tests show that the use of the best technology available is such that Shuaibah generates very little air pollution.
Shuaibah, which opened in 2009, is the first independently operated and financed water and power project in Saudi Arabia and one of the world's largest greenfield projects.
Flaihan said legal reforms in the Kingdom have set the stage for independent water and power projects. He added that his company might pursue an initial public offering in three years.
Kahlbau explained that the plant comprises three steam turbine-generator units, each rated at 400 megawatts, along with electrical, instrumentation and control systems.
He said 300 megawatts of the energy produced is used internally for the power and desalination plants. He said each 400-megawatt unit comprises a high-pressure turbine, a two-flow intermediate pressure turbine, and a hydrogen-cooled generator with static excitation.
© The Saudi Gazette 2010
