LAHORE: The second unit of gas turbines has arrived from Belfort, France, in Pakistan to equip the 1,180 megawatt (MW) Bhikki Combined Cycle Power Plant in Punjab.
The turbine follows an earlier unit that arrived in August, less than a year after the commencement of the Bhikki project. Both units are expected to enter commercial operation in 2017.
Once complete, the Bhikki facility will help to meet up to 20 percent of the current shortfall, contributing to the Government of Pakistan’s goals under Vision 2025 to expand access to electricity to over 90 percent of the population.
“The Bhikki regasified liquefied natural gas (RLNG) project is an essential part of the Government of Punjab’s strategy to meet citizens’ needs for power,” stated Chief Minister of Punjab, Mian Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif. “Addressing Pakistan’s critical energy shortage is a top priority of the government, and the arrival of the two GE 9HA gas turbines at Bhikki highlights our commitment to bringing the world’s most advanced and efficient power generation technologies to the country. The fact that we have secured the world’s most advanced technology while saving billions of rupees through a transparent financial process takes us closer to our objective of providing uninterrupted and affordable power to the people”.
GE has invested almost $2 billion in the development of HA technology, and the turbine provides a combination of the highest efficiency and superior operational flexibility, leading the industry in total life cycle value.
