Growing population and economy creates need for more energy solutions

Kuwait City, Kuwait; December 12, 2007: Alghanim International General Trading and Construction Co. W.L.L. has purchased a total of 12 LM6000 gas turbine generators from GE Energy as part of an effort by Kuwait's Ministry of Energy to contend with the rapidly growing power demand that has occurred over the past several years.

Six LM6000 units were in place at the Shuwaikh power plant facility, also known as the Emergency Peaking Power Shuwaikh (EPPS), 45 days after contract completion and began a phased startup during second quarter of 2007. Units 7-12 will ship by January 2008 to be installed at the Subiya desalination power plant and are expected to enter commercial operation for summer 2008. The units are going into existing facilities where the necessary interconnections are available for immediate power to be added to the grid. The Subiya site also contains a 50 million gal per day desalination facility. These sites are among the largest aeroderivative power plants in the region.

"The GE Energy team was able to meet Alghanim International's demands for quick equipment delivery," said Joseph Anis, Region Executive, GE Energy, ME.  "The LM6000's high efficiency, proven technology and 13 million fleet operating hours were key factors in winning the Kuwaiti project orders."

Since the early 1960s, Alghanim International General Trading and Construction Co. has undertaken major civil and electro-mechanical projects which include the development of major housing projects, commercial buildings, installation, commissioning and maintenance of major pumping stations, power stations and oil and gas pipelines. It also acts as the local and regional representative for several international construction firms and participates in international construction projects.

GE Energy's aeroderivative division is a leading supplier of aeroderivative gas turbines and packaged generator sets for industrial and marine applications. The company provides power-generating equipment to utilities, industries and marine fleets throughout the world. It is also the world's largest and most experienced aeroderivative gas turbine service provider. 

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About GE Energy
GE Energy (www.ge.com/energy) is one of the world's leading suppliers of power generation and energy delivery technologies, with 2006 revenue of US$19 billion. Based in Atlanta, Georgia, GE Energy works in all areas of the energy industry including coal, oil, natural gas and nuclear energy; renewable resources such as water, wind, solar and biogas; and other alternative fuels. Numerous GE Energy products are certified under ecomagination, GE's corporate-wide initiative to aggressively bring to market new technologies that will help customers meet pressing environmental challenges.

© Press Release 2007