Riyadh – Mubasher: Saudi Cement Co has signed an agreement with US-based General Electric (GE) to upgrade the efficiency of three GE 6B gas turbines at Hofuf plant.
The deal marks the debut of GE's Advanced Gas Path (AGP) solution in the international cement sector, the Saudi cement producer said in a statement on Tuesday.
The project will contribute to boosting Saudi Cement Company’s power output in a bid to slash its dependence on the national electricity grid which comes in line with Saudi Vision 2030 to diversify the kingdom’s economy.
The updates are expected to be completed during the third quarter of 2018 which may help to improve efficiency by more than 3.3% per turbine, the Saudi Arabia-listed firm noted.
“Power supply is both a key input, as well as one of the major costs in our manufacturing process,” Saudi Cement’s CEO Mohammed AlGarni said.
The planned upgrades will help in implementing maintenance intervals and lowering emissions in the kingdom, GE’s CEO of business in Africa, India, and the Middle East Joseph Anis stated.
“As a regional pioneer in the manufacture and supply of high quality clinker and cement, Saudi Cement has played a vital role in the development of construction projects across the Middle East for more than half a century,” Anis noted.
Saudi Cement Company last reported a 13.7% year-on-year drop in its profits to SAR 142.2 million in the first quarter of 2018, from SAR 164.7 million during Q1-17.
