• Saudi Engineers Successfully Lead Gas Turbine Overhaul at SEC’s 8th Power Plant in Riyadh
• First fully Saudi-led gas turbine maintenance project completed at SEC’s 8th power plant.
• Highly complex operation requiring specialized expertise, certifications, and hands-on experience.
• Strategic partnership advances Saudi Vision 2030, fostering local workforce development.

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia (March 24, 2025) – GE Vernova, Inc. (NYSE: GEV) and Saudi Electricity Company (SEC) have successfully completed a major gas turbine maintenance project, led entirely by Saudi engineers and specialists from GE Vernova. This milestone, achieved at SEC’s 8th power plant in Riyadh, reinforces both companies’ dedication to workforce localization and skill development in Saudi Arabia’s energy sector, in alignment with Vision 2030.

This success follows GE Vernova’s recent celebration, attended by HRH Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman, Minister of Energy, marking the completion of the first H-class gas turbine unit at the GE Saudi Advanced Turbines (GESAT) facility in Dammam.

Strategic Importance of SEC’s 8th Power Plant

Riyadh’s 8th power plant plays a critical role in meeting the city’s increasing electricity demands. With a capacity of over 1,700 megawatts, it enhances the stability of the region’s power grid. One of the facility’s blocks is powered by four GE Vernova 7F gas turbines, generating approximately 500 megawatts.

The maintenance, spearheaded by GE Vernova’s Gas Power One Field Services team in collaboration with SEC, was crucial to ensuring operational reliability. The project exemplifies the impact of years of technical training, certifications, and hands-on experience gained by Saudi engineers.

Expertise and Innovation in Maintenance Execution

The Saudi-led engineering team adhered to strict safety protocols and completed the project on schedule, utilizing GE Vernova’s Live Outage platform. This digital tool optimizes execution by standardizing procedures and improving safety compliance.

With extensive experience in power plant optimization, GE Vernova’s outage services team provided critical support, ensuring sustained efficiency and long-term reliability of power generation units. This initiative marks a significant step in enhancing Saudi Arabia’s technical self-sufficiency.

Strengthening Saudi Arabia’s Energy Sector

Engineer Abdulaziz Saeed Al-Shumaila, Head of Power Generation Operations at SEC, stated, “Ensuring a stable and reliable power supply is our priority. This project represents a new phase in Saudi Arabia’s power sector, highlighting our investment in local talent and innovation. Through our partnership with GE Vernova, we will continue empowering Saudi engineers to take on leadership and technical roles in the energy sector, contributing to Vision 2030.”

Hisham Al Bahkali, President of GE Vernova, Saudi Arabia, emphasized, “The successful maintenance of Riyadh’s 8th power plant showcases Saudi expertise in executing complex energy projects. This accomplishment reflects our ongoing collaboration with SEC to drive the Kingdom’s energy transition and nurture national competencies.”

He added, “This milestone follows a remarkable year for GE Vernova in Saudi Arabia, including the rollout of the first H-Class gas turbine at the GESAT facility. This advanced turbine will power the Jafurah Cogeneration Independent Steam and Power Plant (ISPP), supporting Saudi Arabia’s national energy goals.”

Advancing Decarbonization and Sustainability

In 2024, GE Vernova secured its largest Middle East & Africa order, comprising six 7HA.0³ gas turbines, two 7E.0³ units, and a 21-year maintenance agreement for Saudi Arabia’s Taiba 1 and Qassim 1 power plants. Additionally, the company completed FEED studies on decarbonization options for three cogeneration plants, exploring advanced CO₂ reduction technologies.

For nearly 90 years, GE Vernova has played a key role in Saudi Arabia’s energy infrastructure, contributing to economic diversification and talent development. With over 850 employees in the country, the company operates the GE Manufacturing and Technology Center (GEMTEC) in Dammam, home to a gas turbine Service and Repairs Center, the GE MENA Decarbonization Center of Excellence, and the GE Saudi Advanced Turbines (GESAT) facility.

About GE Vernova

GE Vernova Inc. (NYSE: GEV) is a leading global energy company with Power, Wind, and Electrification segments, supported by accelerator businesses. With over 130 years of expertise, the company drives the energy transition by advancing electrification and decarbonization. Headquartered in Cambridge, Massachusetts, U.S., GE Vernova has approximately 75,000 employees across 100+ countries.

GE Vernova’s Gas Power business engineers cutting-edge natural gas solutions, including SF₆-free technologies and g³-insulated systems, to support a lower-carbon energy future. As a global leader in gas turbine innovation and power plant services, the company continues shaping a more sustainable and resilient energy landscape.

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