Siemens Energy Will Build Two, 2-GW Gas-Fired Power Stations in Saudi Arabia

Siemens Energy Will Build Two, 2-GW Gas-Fired Power Stations in Saudi Arabia

Siemens Energy announced it would support construction of two large combined-cycle power plants in Saudi Arabia as part of that country’s plan to increase its supply of electricity to support a growing population.

The gas-fired facilities—Taiba 2 and Qassim 2—will be built in the western and central regions of Saudi Arabia over the next few years, Siemens Energy said on June 24. The plants, each designed to generate about 2 GW of electricity, will feature Siemens’ HL-class turbines, in combination with steam turbines and generators. China Energy International Group will serve as the engineering, procurement, construction and contracting partner for the projects.

“Saudi Arabia is driving forward its vision 2030 to transform the kingdom into a pioneering economic location,” said Karim Amin, member of the managing board of Siemens Energy, and responsible for the business area of the group’s Gas Services. “The new gas-fired power plants will provide reliable energy supply and contribute to the sustainable and future-oriented development of the country. Our Siemens Energy local service hub in Dammam will make an important contribution in expanding and localizing technology and competencies in the kingdom.”

Saudi Arabia has a goal to reach net-zero emissions of carbon by 2060 by expanding its use of modern and efficient gas-fired power plants, in combination with carbon capture and storage. The gas-fired power stations will help replace part of Saudi Arabia’s fleet of older, oil-fired generation facilities. The company on Monday said the new plants will reduce emissions of carbon dioxide by as much as 60% compared with oil-fueled power plants.

Siemens Energy also has entered into a 25-year maintenance contract for the two power plants. The company said the total value of the contract is about $1.5 billion.

Officials said Taiba 2 and Qassim 2 will initially be connected to the grid in simple-cycle mode in 2026, and will transition to combined-cycle operation in 2027.

—Darrell Proctor is a senior associate editor for POWER ( @POWERmagazine).