• Celebrating its 10th anniversary, the Saudi Water & Power Forum (SWPF) will focus on achievements attained in the past decade in the water and power sectors
  • GE supports the Kingdom in meeting the growing requirements of water and power
  • As the Gold Sponsor of SWPF, GE will highlight advanced technologies and its focus on localization, innovation and the development of Saudi talent

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; January 11, 2015

GE (NYSE: GE), a longtime partner in Saudi Arabias drive toward energy efficiency, will demonstrate its commitment to the Kingdoms energy goals as the Gold Sponsor of the 10th annual Saudi Water & Power Forum (SWPF). At the event, to be held from January 12 to 14, 2015, in Riyadh, participants will see how GEs most-advanced suite of power generation and water re-use technologies can help Saudi Arabia meet its growing demand for power and water. GE will also highlight its focus on localized innovation and the development of Saudi talent through various training initiatives.

One of the key power sector technologies GE will display at the Forum is its latest air-cooled H-class gas turbine technology. The 7HA gas turbine is the worlds largest and most-efficient 60-hertz gas turbine and leads the industry with cleaner, reliable and cost-efficient conversion of fuel to electricity. Combined cycle plants with 7HA turbines achieve more than 61% net/62% gross combined cycle efficiency based on industry estimates. Each 7HA in combined cycle can generate up to 500 megawatts, or enough power for half a million Saudi Arabia households. 

Also highlighted will be GEs Power FlexEfficiency, a suite of hardware and software blended solutions that enable clients to unleash the full performance and long-term value of their existing GE F-Class gas turbine assets. A leading example of Power FlexEfficiency at work is GEs Advanced Gas Path (AGP), now being implemented in the Kingdom and setting new standards in performance.

GE is focused on strengthening the energy sector efficiency in Saudi Arabia to meet the growing requirements of power and water, said Mohammed Mohaisen, CEO, GE Power Generation Products & Services Sales, Middle East and North Africa (MENA). Through our participation at the Saudi Water & Power Forum, we aim to be closer to our partners and provide them a detailed overview of our commitment to R&D to develop new technologies that will add long-term value to their operations.

Mohaisen added that GEs advanced, high efficiency power generation technologies and proven service strategies provide customers in Saudi Arabia with industry-leading life-cycle value to achieve their desired business outcomes. With a focus on localization and building a local supply chain, we are on track to roll out the first Saudi-manufactured gas turbine at our GE Manufacturing Technology Center in 2016. We have already achieved about 70 percent nationalization at the Center, with several additional job opportunities being created for Saudis.

During the Forum, Mohaisen will participate in a panel discussion, 10 Year Anniversary: Successes, Priorities and 10 Years Strategies for the Water & Power Sectors in the KSA on January 13.

The Saudi Water & Power Forum will also host the 2015 SWPF Awards, which celebrate excellence and outstanding achievements in the industry. Winners will be announced at a gala dinner during the Inauguration Opening Ceremony on January 12, which will include remarks on the Saudi Aramco/GE innovation challenge.

Saudi Arabia has the largest GE workforce in the Middle East with over 1,600 employees driving the healthcare, transportation, power, oil & gas, water, and aviation businesses. More than 500 GE turbines currently generate over half of Saudis electricity, and the companys advanced technology supports the production of 180 million liters of clean water daily, delivered to the countrys most remote locations.

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About GE:
GE works on things that matter. The best people and the best technologies taking on the toughest challenges.  Finding solutions in energy, health and home, transportation and finance. Building, powering, moving and curing the world. Not just imagining. Doing. GE works. www.ge.com.

About GE Power & Water:
GE Power & Water provides customers with a broad array of power generation, energy delivery and water process technologies to solve their challenges locally. Power & Water works in all areas of the energy industry including renewable resources such as wind and solar, biogas and alternative fuels; and coal, oil, natural gas and nuclear energy. The business also develops advanced technologies to help solve the worlds most complex challenges related to water availability and quality. Power & Waters six business units include Distributed Power, Nuclear Energy, Power Generation Services, Renewable Energy, Thermal Products and Water & Process Technologies. Headquartered in Schenectady, N.Y., Power & Water is GEs largest industrial business.

For more information, please contact:
Caroline Wehbeh                                                                               
Kelly Home/ Nivine William

External Communications Director, GE, MENAT                            
ASDAA Burson-Marsteller

+9714 4296318                                                                                  
+9714 4507 600

caroline.wehbeh@ge.com                                                                
kelly.home@bm.com / nivine.william@bm.com

Press Release 2015