US-based GE Vernova’s Gas Power business has begun the execution of the fuel conversion project for Saudi Electricity Company’s (SEC’s) Power Plant 10 (PP10) in Riyadh.

SEC is working with local contracting company Alfanar, in addition to GE Vernova, to convert the plant to natural gas, a lower carbon intensity fuel compared to the crude oil and distillate that currently power the plant.

According to GE Vernova, switching the turbines from running on liquid fuels to natural gas will enhance the units’ fuel flexibility, efficiency and output.

Built on an area of 5 million square meters outside the capital of Saudi Arabia, PP10 is powered by 40 of GE Vernova’s 7E gas

SEC issued the tender for the contract to build PP10 in March 2007. GE signed an estimated $1bn contract to supply more than 30 turbines for PP10 in early 2009.

The power plant can deliver approximately 3.5GW of electricity, the equivalent capacity needed to power up to 875,000 homes in Saudi Arabia.

Following project completion, each gas turbine’s efficiency is expected to increase, resulting in lower consumption and cost of fuel per megawatt-hour (MWh) of power generated, and greater electricity output per unit of fuel consumed.

The units will be able to deliver more flexible power that can be ramped up or down, while benefitting from longer inspection intervals, and longer parts life compared to gas turbines powered by liquid fuels, according to GE Vernova.