GE gas turbines to power Kuwaiti power

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 KuwaitÂ’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 the 2008 summer.

The units are going into existing facilities where the necessary interconnections were available for immediate power to be added to the grid. The Subiya site also contains a 50 million gallon 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 Charles (Chip) Blankenship, general manager of GE Energy’s aeroderivative division. “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 representatives for several international construction firms and participates in international construction projects.

GE EnergyÂ’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 worldÂ’s largest and most experienced aeroderivative gas turbine service provider.