GE Vernova and Saudi Electricity Company (SEC) complete first Saudi-led gas turbine maintenance project

GE Vernova and SEC Complete First Saudi-Led Gas Turbine Outage at Riyadh’s 8th Power Plant

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia: 

GE Vernova, Inc. (NYSE: GEV) and Saudi Electricity Company (SEC) have successfully completed the first-ever gas turbine outage fully planned and executed by GE Vernova’s Saudi engineers and specialists. This milestone at SEC's 8th power plant in Riyadh underscores both companies' dedication to developing local talent and advancing localization within Saudi Arabia’s energy sector, in line with Saudi Vision 2030.

GE Vernova and Saudi Electricity Company (SEC) complete first Saudi-led gas turbine maintenance project

This achievement follows GE Vernova’s recent rollout of the first H-class gas turbine at the GE Saudi Advanced Turbines (GESAT) facility in Dammam, an event witnessed by HRH Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman, Minister of Energy.

Strengthening Riyadh’s Power Infrastructure:

Riyadh’s 8th power plant plays a vital role in meeting the city’s growing electricity demand. With a production capacity of over 1,700 megawatts, it significantly enhances the reliability of the region’s electrical grid. One of its key blocks includes four GE Vernova 7F gas turbines, collectively generating nearly 500 megawatts.

The recent maintenance, led by GE Vernova’s Gas Power One Field Services team in partnership with SEC, was crucial for maintaining operational efficiency. The successful execution of this project reflects a decade of rigorous training, certifications, and hands-on experience for Saudi engineers.

Driving Local Expertise and Innovation

A team of male and female Saudi engineers at the 8th power plant executed the outage on schedule, adhering to strict safety protocols and leveraging GE Vernova’s Live Outage platform—a digital tool that streamlines execution through standardized procedures and safety best practices.

"This Saudi-led outage marks a new chapter for the Kingdom’s power sector," said Engineer Abdulaziz Saeed Al-Shumaila, Head of Power Generation Operations, SEC. "Through our partnership with GE Vernova, we are developing local expertise and preparing Saudi engineers for advanced technical and leadership roles within the Kingdom’s energy ecosystem."

Hisham Al Bahkali, President of GE Vernova, Saudi Arabia, added:

"This successful maintenance project highlights Saudi engineers’ growing capabilities in managing complex energy projects. Our collaboration with SEC will continue to drive the Kingdom’s energy transformation and develop national talent."

A Year of Milestones for GE Vernova in Saudi Arabia:

GE Vernova’s impact on the Kingdom extends beyond this project:

In 2024, it secured its largest-ever Middle East & Africa order, supplying gas turbines and a 21-year maintenance agreement for the Taiba 1 and Qassim 1 power plants.

The company completed FEED studies for decarbonizing three Saudi cogeneration plants, exploring technologies to reduce carbon emissions.

Its H-class gas turbine, recently rolled out from GESAT, will power the Jafurah Cogeneration ISPP, supporting Saudi Arabia’s energy diversification strategy.

For nearly 90 years, GE Vernova has been a key contributor to Saudi Arabia’s energy infrastructure, investing in localization, talent development, and advanced technologies. With over 850 employees in Saudi Arabia, its facilities—including GEMTEC, the GE MENA Decarbonization Center of Excellence, and GESAT—continue to support the Kingdom’s energy transition.

Following its spin-off from GE and NYSE listing on April 2, 2024, GE Vernova remains committed to driving a sustainable energy future in Saudi Arabia and worldwide.

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— Saudi Gulf News (@saudigulfnews) March 26, 2025