The electricity generation from Qurayyah Independents Power Plant in the eastern province of Saudi Arabia makes up eight per cent of the kingdom’s total electricity power generation that reached 66,000 megawatts, said a report.

A total of SR14 billion ($3.7 billion) has so far been spent on the plant since its inception seven years ago, reported the Saudi Gazette, citing a senior government official.

“The gas and fuel oil fired combined cycle power station was able to increase its efficiency to 54 per cent during 2016 compared to 33 per cent in the previous year. Power generation from the plant reached 4,457 MW during summer season and rose to 4,850 MW in the winter season,” remarked Ziyad Al Shammari, the director of the plant.

The combined cycle power station, the first of its kind in the world, is situated along the Arabian Gulf coast, he stated.

The plant, which went on full stream in July 2014, consists of 18 advanced gas units with a capacity of 137 MW for each unit and six steam units with a capacity of 260 MW for each unit.

Three gas units are linked with one steam unit and there are six power complexes within the premises, he added.