GE Vernova Inc. has announced today that it has secured a significant order from Sonelgaz through their joint venture, GE Algeria Turbines (GEAT), to enhance Algeria’s grid infrastructure. Booked in the second quarter of 2024, the order involves GE Vernova supplying GEAT with high voltage (HV) equipment, components, and grid automation solutions for 134 substations by 2028. GEAT will integrate this equipment at its Ain Yagout facility in Batna, Algeria for Sonelgaz projects.
This contract follows an earlier agreement between Sonelgaz and GE Vernova to diversify GEAT’s core business towards the manufacturing of high and extra-high voltage substations. It marks a substantial advancement in the collaboration between GE Vernova, Sonelgaz, and GEAT. The supplied equipment is expected to play a pivotal role in integrating renewable energy sources and ensuring a reliable power supply for Algeria’s growing population and economy.
With nearly 50 million inhabitants across Africa’s largest country by area, Algeria is diversifying its energy mix to include renewable sources like solar and wind to meet the growing energy demand and transition to a lower-carbon future.
The grid will play a crucial role in efficiently transmitting and distributing electricity from these renewable sources, ensuring a reliable and sustainable energy supply for Algeria’s expanding population and economy.
The expanded relationship between GE Vernova and Sonelgaz at GEAT aligns with Algeria’s vision to enhance its grid infrastructure, accommodate increasing power generation capacity, and export excess power to neighbouring countries.
Earlier this year, GE Vernova secured an order for six 7HA.03 gas turbines and two 7E.03 gas turbines for two upcoming power plants in Saudi Arabia, with a total combined capacity of 3,800 MW.
The company announced on June 24 that it received the order from China’s Sepco 3, the engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) contractor for the Taiba 1 and Qassim 1 independent power producer (IPP) projects.
According to GE, this equipment order was booked in March 2024 and included in the company’s first-quarter earnings announcement.
In addition to the equipment order, GE Vernova has signed a 21-year service agreement to support plant operations with Acwa Power’s wholly-owned subsidiary, National Operations & Maintenance Company (Nomac).
GE Vernova stated that the two power plants are expected to be completed in 2027. Taiba 1 is located in the western region of Saudi Arabia, approximately 100 kilometres southeast of Medina, and Qassim 1 is in the central region, about 30 kilometres southeast of Buraydah.
The plants are expected to be among the most efficient power plants in the kingdom and can be configured with post-combustion carbon capture systems to significantly reduce carbon dioxide emissions, according to the US firm. Additionally, the 7HA.03 gas turbines can burn up to 50% hydrogen by volume when blended with natural gas.
