GE Energy, a unit of General Electric Co and one of the world's leading suppliers of power generation and energy delivery technologies, has signed contracts totalling more than $500 million to supply advanced power generation equipment and long-term services for the Al Dur Independent Water and Power Project, the largest power plant in the Kingdom of Bahrain.

Developed to help meet Bahrain's growing water and power requirements, the plant is located in the Al Dur area of Bahrain's southeastern coast and when completed, the plant is expected to provide 1,250 megawatts of power, which would account for 30 per cent of the country's existing electricity grid output, as well as 48 million imperial gallons of desalinated water per day.

Bahrain's Electricity and Water Authority is also planning additional capacity expansions over the next 20 years to support the country's reported power demand growth rate at 7-10 per cent per year.

Atlanta, Georgia-based GE Energy will be supplying two steam turbines and four heavy-duty Frame 9FA gas turbines, which are equipped with GE advanced emission control technologies. GE also has signed a 20-year contractual service agreement (CSA) contract for the project, which will support the long-term operability and performance of the turbines.

Under the terms of the CSA, GE Energy will supply parts, repairs and provide field services for planned and unplanned maintenance for the gas turbine-generators and accessory equipment.

Designed to increase the reliability of the power plant equipment, the CSA also guarantees the availability of power, which is especially critical during the summer months.

Fahmi Bin Ali Aljowder, minister of works and minister in charge of the Electricity & Water Authority said, ''It is critical for us to have access to proven technology and world-class services that are customised for our specific needs. We are confident that, with its global technology capabilities and strong local presence, GE will support us in meeting the need for responsible, efficient energy for the people of Bahrain.

Although GE Energy is a regional leader in power generation, with more than 1,000 turbines installed throughout the Middle East providing more than 70 gigawatts, it will be the company's first installation of the F-class gas turbines in Bahrain.

GE's advanced gas turbines have accumulated more than 28 million hours of commercial service worldwide since their introduction in 1987, and are among the most efficient gas turbines available for combined-cycle operation.

They have set global industry standards for reliability, efficiency and operational flexibility and are fuel flexible with advanced DLN 2.6+ combustion systems that limit nitrous oxide (NOx) emissions.

Natural gas will be used as the primary fuel for the units at Al Dur, with distillate as a backup.