Business Bureau, Gulf Today

In a significant step in support of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s water infrastructure, GE Renewable Energy’s Grid Solutions business (GE) was awarded a contract by ACCIONA to supply designing, manufacturing, construction and commissioning solution in the Red Sea coastal city of Shuqaiq in Saudi Arabia, home to one of the world’s largest desalination plants.

The plant, which will provide fresh water for over 1.8 million people, is expected to be completed in 2021.

Through this deal with ACCIONA - part of the consortium leading the development of the project, which includes Marubeni, Abdul Latif Jameel Commercial Development Company and Rawafid Alhadarah Holding Company - GE will provide a 380/132 kV GIS substation, including power transformers, Grid Automation and telecommunication systems that will complete the electricity connection in the Shuqaiq area, providing power to the new desalination plant loads.

Shuqaiq 3, which once completed will be one of the world’s largest reverse osmosis desalination plants, will eventually produce 450,000 cubic meters of water, or enough to fill 180 Olympic-size swimming pools per day.

Jesús Sancho, general director at ACCIONA in the Middle East, said: “Finding the right partners is key to ensuring both the viability and sustainability of these projects of critical national importance.

As Saudi Arabia continues to focus on development of core infrastructure, we are fortunate to be in a position to partner with GE to help the Kingdom realise its goals. The impact of Shuqaiq 3 will be felt for years to come, and we are proud to play a part in its foundation.”

The partnership with ACCIONA is the second desalination project by GE’s Grid Solutions business in the Kingdom since 2018, having previously led the Rabigh project as Saudi Arabia moves toward securing vital water services as part of its holistic and multi-sector approach in Vision 2030.

Mohammed Mohaisen, President and CEO, GE’s Grid Solutions business in the Middle East, North Africa and Turkey, said: “With a vision as ambitious and all-encompassing as that in Saudi Arabia, there is the need to ensure a sustainable approach to the development of major projects associated with it, one which merges the necessary technology with critical local expertise.

We are thrilled to be using our more than 70 years of local expertise in Saudi Arabia and our exceptional grid technology in serving millions of people throughout the nation.”

GE has over 80 years of partnership in the Kingdom with over 4,000 employees, with nearly 50 per cent of the talent in highly skilled engineering and technology roles. GE has built an advanced industrial ecosystem that includes a growing local supply chain, with significant partnerships and investments in support of the Kingdom in its economic diversification goals, including building localized manufacturing competencies.

GE Renewable Energy is a $15 billion business which combines one of the broadest portfolios in the renewable energy industry to provide end-to-end solutions for our customers demanding reliable and affordable green power.

Combining onshore and offshore wind, blades, hydro, storage, utility-scale solar, and grid solutions as well as hybrid renewables and digital services offerings, GE Renewable Energy has installed more than 400+ gigawatts of clean renewable energy and equipped more than 90 per cent of utilities worldwide with its grid solutions.

With nearly 40,000 employees present in more than 80 countries, GE Renewable Energy creates value for customers seeking to power the world with affordable, reliable and sustainable green electrons.

ACCIONA is a global group in the management and development of sustainable solutions for infrastructures, especially through renewable energy projects.

Its range of services covers the entire value chain of design, construction, operation and maintenance.  ACCIONA aims to lead the transition towards a low-carbon economy and does this by applying criteria of quality and innovation processes in all its projects to design a better planet.

The company earned revenues of 7,510 million euros in 2018, has a presence in more than 40 countries and carries out its activities within a commitment to the economic and social development of the communities it operates in.