Renewable Energy & Sustainability Heroes by GineersNow Engineering GineersNow Engineering Magazine Issue No. 017, Ren | Page 66

GE & HEI Fire Up & Synchronize Second
HA Gas Turbine at Bhikki Power Plant
GE and Harbin Electric International
Company Limited (HEI) have achieved an
important milestone with the first fire and
synchronization of the second GE 9HA
gas turbine installed at the Bhikki Power
Plant. This significant accomplishment was
achieved less than 18 months after the large
turnkey project was first announced. First
fire is a critical test where the gas turbine
is switched on and run on fuel at the site,
and synchronization refers to when the unit
is first connected to the national grid. The
turbine can generate up to 385 megawatts
(MW) of reliable power that is expected to be
distributed for residential and commercial use
within a few days.
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Renewable Green Leaders • May 2017
The Honourable Prime Minister, Mian Nawaz
Sharif stated, “The speed with which the
Government of Punjab, HEI and GE’s teams
have been setting up the Bhikki Power Plant
is to be commended. This is the fastest
construction of a gas power plant of its size
in Pakistan’s history and was only possible
because of the commitment of all involved.
The project is a critical component of our
strategy to expand access to electricity to
over 90 percent of the country’s population
and will benefit millions of Pakistanis.”
The first 9HA unit achieved first fire on 13th
February, 2017, less than 17 months after the
project’s announcement.