Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA) said it has achieved a significant logistics milestone by moving the UAE’s largest gas turbine by road from DP World’s Jebel Ali port.
The turbine is part of a $272.4 million power block, which is designed to improve the efficiency of EGA’s electricity generation. The turbine was installed following its journey from Jebel Ali port.
The Siemens H-class gas turbine, which weighs 457-tons and measures 13.5m, was transported 6km from Jebel Ali port, using an oversized truck in an overnight operation. According to EGA, the operation took just over four hours over two-days.
The new power block is being developed by JA Power & Water Co, a joint venture formed by Mubadala and Dubal Holding. It is said to be the first facility in the global aluminium industry to use a Siemens H-class gas turbine.
“We believe producing the aluminium that makes modern life possible is not enough. We must also produce this aluminium responsibly, in ways that support the sustainable development of not only our company but of the entire nation. Use of the H-class gas turbine will do just that, enabling EGA to further improve energy efficiency, saving natural resources and reducing costs and environmental emissions. The arrival and installation of the turbine is a milestone in the new power block project, and we are pleased it has been completed safely and efficiently,” said EGA CEO Abdulnasser Bin Kalban.
Siemens Middle East and UAE CEO Dietmar Siersdorfer said the H-class is among the world’s most efficient and powerful gas turbines.
“The EGA power plant will be the most efficient gas-fired facility in the UAE and will significantly lower emissions and strengthen the industry. Delivering this turbine is only the beginning of our partnership, and we look forward to working hand-in-hand with the EGA, Mubadala and Dubal Holding teams to keep this power plant operating reliably and efficiently for many years to come.”
The new power block at EGA will have a generation capacity of over 600MW of electricity and EGA intends to buy the output for 25 years following commissioning, he added.
Once the new power block is operational, five older, smaller and less efficient turbines at EGA’s Jebel Ali site will be put on standby for use only in emergencies, the company said.
EGA said it was likely to lower greenhouse gas emissions from the company’s power-generation and aluminium-smelting operations at Jebel Ali by some 10%, while NOx emissions are expected to decrease by as much as 58%.
NOx, which is also emitted by motor vehicles, is amongst a group of emissions targeted for reductions under ‘UAE Vision 2021’ to improve local air quality.
