GE plans to develop hi-tech power turbines in Saudi Arabia

US industrial company General Electric (GE) is planning to manufacture its latest series of high-technology power turbines in Saudi Arabia, Arab News reported, citing a senior company executive.

“We have the ability and the capacity to manufacture the H series in Saudi Arabia, and we are considering that,” said Scott Strazik, company president and chief executive officer of GE’s power services division.

“But we need to look at the state of possible orders for them in the Middle East to justify the build. We are assessing that now. It would be a win-win for us and for Saudi Arabia.”

Strazik added: “If you’re going to be a player in Saudi Arabia you need a local presence. We already have that in Dammam but manufacturing the H would be a major step.”  

The move is likely to create up to 100 new technology jobs for Saudi citizens in Dammam, where GE’s business is currently based.

The project is expected to be discussed during Strazik’s visit to the Middle East next month, the report said.

In April, Saudi Electricity Company signed a memorandum of understanding with GE to accelerate the digital transformation of the Kingdom’s power sector.