France’s Alstom and Jiddah-based contractor Arabian Bemco plan to build a power generation components factory in King ‘Abd Allah Economic City, at an initial cost of over SR200mn ($53mn). The partners aim to begin manufacturing by 2015, MEES understands. The Alstom Arabia Power Factory joint venture will mainly build heat recovery steam generators for combined cycle and cogeneration plants, but the partners envisage expanding the factory to make other power generation equipment.

Announcing the agreement on 2 December, the 50:50 partners said the venture will be well equipped to cater for rising demand for gas-fired power plants across the Middle East, “around 25% of the global market… this facility will cover key territories such as Iraq, Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Oman, UAE, Yemen, Jordan, Syria, Lebanon and Egypt.” (CONTINUED - 272 WORDS)