Building on its eight decades of presence in the region and supporting nearly two-thirds of the power generated across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), GE is underlining its commitment to be closer to its customers with the Global Repairs Solutions Jebel Ali Service Center. The GE Global Repairs Solutions Jebel Ali Service Center provides state-of-the-art maintenance, testing and repairs solutions for generators and gas turbines – bringing global capabilities to the region. At an exclusive media tour, GE executives provided a comprehensive overview of the facility, which marks investment of over $11 million. The tour was led by Taher Abujoudeh, General Manager - Global Repairs Solutions, Power Services, Middle East & Africa; Thomas Lenze, Global Platform Leader for cross-fleet, other Original Equipment Manufacturer (oOEM) Generators, Power Services at GE Power; and Gagan Porwal, Product Line Leader for Generators & Gas Cross-Fleet Services, Power Services, Middle East & Africa at GE Power, as well as other senior officials. Joseph J. Anis President & CEO - Power Services for the Middle East & Africa, GE Power, said: "With enhanced competencies following the acquisition of Alstom Power almost a year ago, GE offers a full breadth of cross fleet services for the power sector to meet the increasing needs for reliable, efficient and sustainable electricity from a growing population. "As the only facility of its kind in the Middle East, North Africa and Pakistan region, Global Repairs Solutions Jebel Ali Service Center serves over 25 countries in the region. It brings us closer to our customers, and is differentiated by its global capabilities, in-region presence and local investment." It supports the region in meeting growing requirements for electricity from an increasing population and to drive infrastructure development. According to the World Energy Council, the GCC requires 10 GW of additional power over the next ten years, marking an investment of over US$50 billion in new power generating capacity. Across the region, demand for power is increasing at an average annual rate of 8 percent; in the UAE, peak power demand is set to grow to 33.4 GW by 2020. The Global Repairs Solutions Jebel Ali Service Center has the capability to service power generation equipment by GE as well as other Original Equipment Manufacturers (oOEMs). It has two dedicated facilities, one each for undertaking the repairs and maintenance of generators and gas turbines, respectively. Already having served over 50 customers from more than 25 countries, the facility is also an air-cooled generators center of excellence. Set to be a game changer for the industry in the region, it has a world-class standard clean room with two winding assembly stations capable of servicing 50+ machines per year. "The Center is a testament to our expanded regional capabilities," added Anis. "We have only recently marked the second phase of the GE Manufacturing & Technology Center (GEMTEC) in Dammam, Saudi Arabia, which is capable of manufacturing the H-Class gas turbines, the world's largest and most efficient gas turbine which uses technology originally developed for supersonic jet engines." Taher Abujoudeh added: "At the core of the Center is our focus on supporting our customers to ensure the seamless operations of their assets by providing swift maintenance and repairs services. Spread over 4,000 sq metres, it is distinguished by its commitment to quality, cycle, productivity, cost efficiency, growth, and environment, health & safety. Offering base fleet gas turbine component repairs, it is the only high speed balancing facility and dynamic electrical testing center in MENA and Pakistan." The diverse breadth of repairs offerings at the Center covers gas turbines, steam turbines, aeroderivatives, generators and boilers. GE also provides on-site services include blade replacement and repairs, machining repairs, generator rotor and stator rewinds and other core maintenance. Having undertaken the service of over 1,300 components, the Center is led by a team of expert professionals, highlighted by GE's commitment to regional talent development. With ISO 9001 quality and ISO 14001 EHS certifications, its advanced capabilities help customers achieve shorter repair cycle times, competitive costs and international quality standards. The Center has dedicated stations for incoming inspection, condition assessment, repairs, coating and final quality inspections. It also has a comprehensive database, RDAS (Reconditioning Diagnostics and Statistics), for mapping existing defects and for tracking parts repairs history.
