Alstom was selected by Al Ghanim International Trading & Contracting Company to provide the power plant equipment. According to the company, these will be the first gas turbines that Alstom has sold in Kuwait since the 1960s.
Alstom said that it will be able to provide the five GT13E2 turbines and the five TOPAIR turbo-generators for the Az Zour power plant in record time, allowing the facility to supply electricity in time for the seasonal peak in demand in summer 2008.
The Az Zour plant is one of the power projects initiated by the ministry of electricity and water in Kuwait to address the 5GW power shortage expected to hit the region by 2010.
Philippe Joubert, executive vice resident and president of Alstom’s power systems sector, said: Winning this contract in Kuwait confirms Alstom’s ability in fast-track projects. With very short-lead times plus the outstanding performance of GT13E2 technology, Alstom expects to win future projects for electricity generation in the country.
Alstom said that it has a successful track record in fast projects in the Gulf region, such as the DUBAL project in the United Arab Emirates and the Al-Hidd 2 project in Bahrain, where GT13E2s open cycle plants were delivered and commissioned within 12 months of the start of the contract.
