Mitsubishi Power, the energy solutions brand of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI), secured a contract to supply key boiler components for fuel conversion at two of Saudi Arabia’s largest thermal power plants. The initiative will transform units currently operating on heavy fuel oil to dual-fuel systems capable of using natural gas and heavy fuel oil.
The agreement was signed between Dar Al Balad Contracting and Operations (DAB), a local engineering, procurement, and construction company, and Mitsubishi Corporation Machinery, as authorized agent for Mitsubishi Power. The company will contribute its expertise as the original equipment manufacturer of the boilers installed during construction of both plants.
Project Oriented Toward Energy Transition
The work will be carried out at Jeddah South Power Plant and Shuqaiq Power Plant, located on the western coast of Saudi Arabia. Each facility has a capacity of approximately 2.9 GW, distributed across four units that began operating progressively from 2017.
Having originally designed and supplied the boilers, Mitsubishi Power will leverage the existing infrastructure to execute the conversion with reduced technical complexity and preserve the operational reliability of the facilities.
Natural Gas as the Cornerstone of National Strategy
The initiative is part of Saudi Vision 2030, through which the country seeks to increase the share of natural gas to exceed 50% of national power generation.
Likewise, the gradual replacement of heavy fuel oil will reduce carbon dioxide emissions associated with electricity production and improve the environmental performance of existing energy infrastructure without the need to build new plants.
Long-Term Technical Support
The end client for the project is Saudi Energy (SE). Mitsubishi Power will work alongside its local partner DAB to supply boiler components and provide technical assistance during the conversion, ensuring operational stability and plant reliability once modifications are completed.
Saudi Arabia’s west coast concentrates high electricity demand and significant participation of plants fueled by heavy fuels. Consequently, the modernization of these assets constitutes a relevant element to ensure energy supply while the country advances its decarbonization objectives.
OEM Expertise to Modernize Existing Assets
Makoto Fujita, Senior General Manager of the Steam Power Business Division of MHI Energy Systems, noted that the Jeddah South and Shuqaiq plants have been fundamental to ensuring power supply in the country’s western region. He further emphasized that Mitsubishi Power’s experience as the original equipment manufacturer will support Saudi Arabia’s energy transition through solutions aimed at reducing CO₂ emissions and ensuring stable facility operation for years to come.
Regarding MHI Group, the company emphasizes that it develops industrial solutions in the energy, infrastructure, logistics, machinery, aerospace, and defense sectors. Its strategy combines technological innovation with industrial expertise to support the development of low-emission energy systems and contribute to a lower-carbon economy.
Source and photo: Mitsubishi Power
