GE and Harbin Electric International Company Limited (HEI) on Tuesday announced they have achieved a major milestone with the first fire of an advanced GE 9HA gas turbine installed at the Bhikki Power Plant - less than 17 months after the turnkey project was first announced. The turbine can generate up to 385 megawatts (MW) of reliable power that is expected to be distributed for residential and commercial use through the national grid within a few days after first fire.

"First fire of gas turbine 1 is a significant milestone towards the completion of the Bhikki project, a key initiative undertaken by the Government of Punjab to provide reliable, uninterrupted power to citizens," stated the Chief Minister Punjab, Shehbaz Sharif.

"GE's HA gas turbines have set industry benchmarks in the cost-effective conversion of fuel to electricity, and we are delighted to adopt this leading technology in Pakistan. I am also proud to say that the open and transparent procurement process through which the technology was acquired helped us save billions of rupees, while providing affordable power to the country."

"GE has invested almost $2 billion in the development of our HA technology, and our turbine provides a powerful combination of the highest efficiency and superior operational flexibility, leading the industry in total life cycle value," said Mohamad Ali, President & CEO of GE's Gas Power Systems - Projects, in the Middle East, North Africa, Pakistan and India. "We are proud to bring this technology to Pakistan, and with this important milestone - achieved in less than 17 months - we are one step closer to ensuring the everyday needs of people and industry are met.-PR

Copyright Business Recorder, 2017