From Bhikki to Balloki: GE and Harbin to Deliver Second High-Efficiency HA Gas Power Plant for Pakistan

With Pakistan facing a projected 5 gigawatt (GW) energy shortfall, the Federal Government of Pakistan is moving forward with plans to avoid blackouts and meet growing power needs. As part of the government’s plan, GE (NYSE:GE) will provide two high-efficiency 9HA gas turbines, one steam turbine (engineered by Alstom and now incorporated into GE’s portfolio) and associated equipment to Harbin Electric International Company Limited (HEI) for the new 1.2 GW Balloki combined-cycle power plant. Harbin, a longtime business associate with GE, will handle engineering, procurement and construction of the plant.

This move follows the October announcement of the new 1.1 GW Bhikki combined-cycle power plant in Pakistan, which will also include two 9HA gas turbines and one steam turbine (engineered by Alstom); both the Bhikki and Balloki plants are expected to enter commercial operation in 2017. The Balloki plant marks the 24^th and 25^th worldwide orders for GE’s HA, the world’s largest, most efficient gas turbine. Together, Bhikki and Balloki will be able to provide the equivalent power needed to supply more than 12 million Pakistani homes.

“The Balloki plant is part of our game-changing approach to providing sustainable, efficient energy to meet Pakistan’s growing demand for power,” said Rashid Mehmood Langrial, CEO of National Power Park Management Company Limited (NPPMCL), the holding company of the Balloki Power Plant. “We are pleased to work with GE on the advanced technologies needed to drive economic growth and improve the welfare of our people.”

“GE has made a long-term commitment to helping Pakistan meet its development needs,” said Joe Mastrangelo, president and CEO, gas power systems at GE Power. “The Balloki project builds on our strong partnerships in the power sector and our recent acquisition of Alstom’s power and grid businesses. This project represents the value that Alstom’s steam turbine technology is bringing to customers as part of our broader GE product offerings. Our HA gas turbines and complementary steam turbine are well integrated to deliver superior performance, efficiency and flexibility.”

“The Balloki combined-cycle plant further demonstrates the strength of the technical collaboration between GE and Harbin,” said Mr. Guo Yu, chairman of HEI. “Working together on projects in Pakistan – and worldwide – we can provide the most competitive, advanced combined-cycle power plant solutions available. The HA technology, together with the Alstom steam turbine, sets the standard in the energy sector and supports the Central Government of Pakistan’s goal to ensure affordable and reliable power generation.”

Among key agreements in the country, GE has signed a memorandum of understanding with the government to develop Pakistan’s energy resources to meet the projected demand of 54,000 megawatts by the year 2020. GE will assist the government in achieving its goals by engaging in Pakistan's energy, transportation and water sectors and will work to identify potential sources of funding and explore potential investment opportunities in those sectors.

With the Balloki plant, 25 HA units have been ordered among 78 that have been technically selected¹ by customers around the world. GE’s H-class technology has been embraced by customers in Korea, Japan, the United Kingdom, Brazil, the United States, France, Russia, Germany, Turkey, Egypt, Pakistan and Argentina.

GE’s HA gas turbines provide a combination of the most output, highest efficiency and best operational flexibility and lead the industry in total life cycle value. The 9HA offers a net combined-cycle efficiency of more than 61 percent and leads the industry with cleaner, reliable and cost-effective conversion of fuel to electricity.

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About NPPMCL

National Power Park Management Company Limited (NPPMCL) is a wholly owned special purpose vehicle (SPV) of the federal government to implement Balloki and Haveli Bahadur Shah RLNG power plants to meet the energy demand in Pakistan.

About Harbin Electric International

Harbin Electric International Company Limited (HEI) is an important member of the Harbin Electric Corporation, and is China’s leading large-scale enterprise in power project contracting and the export of power equipment. Established in 1983, HEI is primarily engaged in the engineering, procurement and construction of thermal, hydro and combined-cycle power plants, and the supply of complete sets of equipment; moreover, the company can be contracted to build large-scale transmission facilities and public utilities, and provides professional comprehensive after-sales service. Since 2014, HEI has expanded its business in power investment to help resolve a global shortage of electric power.

For more information, visit the company's website http://www.china-hei.com

About GE

GE (NYSE: GE) is the world's Digital Industrial Company, transforming industry with software-defined machines and solutions that are connected, responsive and predictive. GE is organized around a global exchange of knowledge, the "GE Store," through which each business shares and accesses the same technology, markets, structure and intellect. Each invention further fuels innovation and application across our industrial sectors. With people, services, technology and scale, GE delivers better outcomes for customers by speaking the language of industry. www.ge.com

About GE Power

GE Power is a world leader in power generation with deep domain expertise to help customers deliver electricity from a wide spectrum of fuel sources. We are transforming the electricity industry with the digital power plant, the world’s largest and most efficient gas turbine, full balance of plant, upgrade and service solutions as well as our data-leveraging software. Our innovative technologies and digital offerings help make power more affordable, reliable, accessible and sustainable.

For more information, visit the company's website at www.gepower.com and http://powergen.gepower.com. Follow GE Power and GE Gas Power Systems on Twitter @GE_Power and @GE_GasPower.

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¹ A technical selection is one of the first steps in developing a new power plant. It means that if the power plant is constructed and commissioned, it will use GE gas turbines. Following technical selection, a developer will proceed with securing financing, permitting and more.

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