Saudi Aramco has chosen GE to install Saudi Arabia’s first wind power turbine at the Turaif Bulk Plant, located in the north-west of the Kingdom.
The project marks the first regional installation of GE’s model 2.75-120 Wind Turbine, which has been specifically customized for the Kingdom’s climatic conditions, GE said in a statement.
The initiative is in line with Saudi Vision 2030 as endorsed by the Saudi Cabinet that has set an initial target of generating 9.5 gigawatts (GW) of renewable energy.
Abdulaziz Al-Judaimi, Vice President of Power Systems, Saudi Aramco, said: “We are committed to efficiently meeting the Kingdom’s energy demand through our fuel optimization program and by supporting renewable energy development. The demo installation of GE’s Wind Turbine will enable the Saudi Aramco and GE teams to build expertise in executing wind projects in the Kingdom.”
Hisham Albahkali, GE’s President & CEO for Saudi Arabia and Bahrain, said: “This state-of-the-art wind turbine is designed for challenging conditions. Building on our global operating experience in desert areas, we have worked with Saudi Aramco’s team to customize the turbine and optimize its performance for the Kingdom. This is a strong example of how we work with our partners to meeting the goals outlined in Saudi Vision 2030.”
Several studies have confirmed the potential for wind energy generation in the Kingdom, particularly in the northern region.
According to the Renewable Energy Atlas, higher wind speeds near 8.0 meters per second (m/s) and above (well above a standard economic viability speed of approximately 6 m/s) occur in the northeast and central regions of Saudi Arabia, as well as near mountains in the western region.