Kuwait’s Az Zour nears completion

Az Zour North One’s final power generation unit was commissioned on Wednesday, with the USD 1.7-billion independently owned power and water plant on track for completion in the fourth quarter of 2016.

The commissioning work was carried out by Shamal Az Zour Al Oula, in partnership with Hyundai Heavy Industries and Sidem. “While this is a very modern and complicated facility, the project has progressed without delays, overspend or technical difficulties, reflecting the skills, efficient organization and expertise of all those involved,” Shamal Az Zour CEO Andy Biffen said.

Breaking ground in January 2014, the Az Zour plant first started generation power in May 2015. The facility currently operates at 40% of its designed capacity of 1.54 GW. Full commercial operations are scheduled to commence in November this year. It is fitted with five GE GTG 9F-3 turbines, capable of generating 225.8 MW each, and two 251 MW GE STG D1 turbines. Az Zour’s water generation capacity is 405 million litres per day.