Bhikki Power Plant achieved in Pakistan

Yesterday, the country’s first new plant to run on imported supplies of liquefied natural gas, was inaugurated in the Punjab region.

The Bhikki Power plant is now in operational since the second HE 9HA gas turbine has been installed, fired and synchronized. It consisted of test for the gas turbine including switch on and fuel running at the plant as well as first unit connection to the national grid. The plant is composed of two turbines that can generate up to 385MW each.

Chief Minister of Punjab, Shahbaz Sharif said: “GE’s HA gas turbines have set industry efficiency benchmarks in the conversion of fuel to electricity. I am happy to note that adopting this technology through a transparent procurement process has helped save billions of rupees, while enabling us to generate efficient, reliable power at low lifecycle costs.”

The power global company General Electric and the Chinese Harbin Electric International Company Limited (HEI) have undertaken the project completion in eighteen months.

Mohamad Ali, GE’s Gas Power Systems CEO for the Middle East, North Africa and India declared: “GE is committed to powering Pakistan, and we are proud to work with our customers there to swiftly meet the increasing demand for power with the world’s most advanced gas turbine technology.”

The Bhikki combined cycle power plant provides 1180MW which allows to supply around 2.5 million Pakistani homes at the rate of RS 7.37 per unit.

The project cost was fixed at $466,000 per megawatt and it is expected to save RS 250bn in operational cost for the next 30 years.