GE Energy has been awarded the complete plant control system for the largest combined power and water facility in the world. The Marafiq Independent Water and Power Project (IWPP) in Saudi Arabia, owned and operated by a regional consortium group, is located in Jubail Industrial City of Saudi Arabia’s Eastern Province and includes a 2,500-mW power generation and a 800,000-cu meters per day desalinated water production facility.
This project is part of a series of projects to produce power and water to support a booming industrial economy in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Under the terms of the contract, GE Energy will provide a control and protection system for the 12 7FA gas turbines, 12 generators, 12 heat recovery steam generators, four steam turbines, balance of plant and 27 desalination units at the plant. The plant is controlled by GE’s Mark VIe Integrated Control System, which is an advanced control system for power plant control applications including simple cycle, combined cycle, nuclear and integrated gas combined-cycle installations.
Earlier this year, GE announced plans to supply four combined-cycle power blocks to the project, including the Frame 7FA gas turbines. In addition to the control system, GE’s scope will also include steam turbines, generators, auxiliary equipment, the heat recovery steam generators, design and engineering, project management, technical advisory services, performance testing and training.
“Saudi Arabia is an important part of GE Energy’s growth plans for the Middle East,” said Joseph Anis, region executive for GE Energy. “Our control system will make it possible for the largest power and water facility in the world to be controlled on a single platform, increasing efficiency for Marafiq and allowing it to better meet the growing demands for reliable power in Saudi Arabia.”
Equipment for the Marafiq project is scheduled for shipment from the end of February 2008 through the end of January 2009. Block 1 is scheduled to enter commercial service during the second quarter of 2009, block 2 in the third quarter of 2009, block 3 during the fourth quarter of 2009 and block 4 during the first quarter of 2010. Primary fuel is natural gas, with distillate oil as a backup.
Source: GE Energy
