Siemens is targeting the Saudi Arabian market for the 60 Hertz version of its SGT-8000 gas turbine series.

The turbine, which has already been ordered by customers in the US and Korea, has started test operation.

Siemens has enlarged its test bed in the Berlin gas turbine power plant specifically for this purpose. In addition, a new drilling station for casing parts has been installed to make production of the gas turbines even more efficient, a statement said.

Siemens' gas turbine plant in Berlin builds the most efficient gas turbines in the world, it said.

Over 600 turbines from Berlin have been delivered to date to customers all over the globe. The new turbine series – with the highest efficiency and output rating ever – is known as the H Class and is also produced in Berlin.

During a test run as part of the commissioning procedure for the Irsching 4 CCPP, Siemens recently wrote technology history by achieving an output of 578 megawatts (MW) and a record efficiency of 60.75 percent (net) in combined cycle operation.

"Due to the rising global demand for electric power and against the background of the increasing but fluctuating contribution of renewable energy to the power supply, gas turbines for versatile and environmentally compatible power generation are in high demand worldwide," points out Dietmar Siersdorfer, CEO Energy Siemens Middle East. Customers from all over the world are also showing great interest in the world's most energy-efficient gas turbine. The H Class is now being tested for the 60-Hz market. It is an ideal solution for the rapidly growing Saudi Arabian power generation market, because of its efficiency, cost effectiveness and flexibility, he said.  –TradeArabia News Service