GE and Harbin Electric International Company Limited (HEI) announced they have successfully achieved the first fire of a GE 9HA gas turbine installed at the 1,180 MW Bhikki power plant in Pakistan.
First fire “is a critical test where the gas turbine is switched on and run on fuel at the site” GE explained, adding that it follows installation and commissioning works.
The turbine can generate up to 385 megawatts (MW) power destined for residential and commercial use through the national grid “within a few days after first fire” GE said.
“First fire of gas turbine 1 is a significant milestone towards the completion of the Bhikki project, a key initiative undertaken by the Government of Punjab to provide reliable, uninterrupted power to citizens,” said the chief minister of Punjab, Mian Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif.
With Pakistan facing an estimated 5 GW energy shortfall, the Government is “moving forward quickly with projects to help meet this power deficit” GE said.
It added Bhikki is “set to be one of the most efficient power plants in the country” and is expected to generate the equivalent power needed to supply approximately 2.5 million Pakistani households.
GE entered an agreement to provide two high-efficiency 9HA.01 gas turbines and associated equipment to HEI for the Bhikki CCGT plant in September 2015. HEI is providing engineering, procurement and construction services for the facility.