Saudi Arabia is the target market in the Middle East for the 60 Hertz version gas turbine.

Siemens 60 Hertz version of the SGT-8000 gas turbine series 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.

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 achieved an output of 578MW and a record efficiency of 60.75% 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.

The company claims that the H Class, which is now being tested for the 60-Hz market, is an ideal solution for the rapidly growing Saudi Arabian power generation market, because of its efficiency, cost effectiveness and flexibility.

High-efficiency gas turbines and combined cycle power plants are part of Siemens’ Environmental Portfolio. In 2010, revenue from the portfolio totalled about €28 billion.