First Siemens Energy turbine reaches Qassim 2

4 April 2025

The first combined-cycle gas turbine (CCGT) has arrived at the Qassim 2 independent power producer (IPP) project site in Saudi Arabia.

According to one of the project owners, France’s EDF, its arrival marks a key milestone in the construction of the 1,800MW “decarbonised combined-cycle gas turbine project with provision for carbon capture, utilisation and storage”.

EDF Renewables Middle East said in a social media post that the turbine was made in Saudi Arabia, where the next two turbines are also being manufactured.

Germany’s Siemens Energy confirmed winning the contract, worth $1.5bn, to supply gas turbines and other equipment to Qassim 2 and another CCGT plant, Taiba 2, in June 2024

Siemens Energy’s HL-class gas turbines, in combination with steam turbines and generators, will generate approximately 2,000MW of electricity at each site.

A utility developer team led by the local Al-Jomaih Energy & Water Company (Jenwa) reached financial close in July 2024 on the contract to develop and operate the Taiba 2 and Qassim 2 IPPs.

The developer team, which includes EDF and the local Buhur for Investment, signed a 25-year power-purchase agreement with the principal buyer, Saudi Power Procurement Company (SPPC), for the projects in November 2023.

Subsequently, an engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) team led by China Energy International Group was appointed.

The EPC contractor awarded the contract to supply the project with gas turbines and other related equipment to Siemens Energy.

Siemens Energy said last year that the Taiba 2 and Qassim 2 power plants will initially be connected to the grid in simple-cycle mode in 2026 and permanently operated as combined-cycle power plants a year later.

The new plants are expected to save up to 60% of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions compared with oil-fuelled power plants.

They will also be compatible with Saudi Arabia’s energy strategy, which calls for the construction of CO2 capture and storage facilities in the medium term, to enable a carbon-neutral energy supply.

Photo credit: EDF Renewables Middle East

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Jennifer Aguinaldo
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