Aluminium Bahrain B.S.C. (Alba), the world’s largest aluminium smelter ex-China, announced in a statement that it has signed a full turnkey contract with Mitsubishi Power, a power solution brand of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. (MHI), and SEPCO III consortium to expand Power Station 5 at Alba, adding a new 680.9 megawatts (MW) Combined Cycle Gas Turbine Power Block.

Present at the signing ceremony were Hideshi Kawamoto, President and CEO of Mitsubishi Power Ltd., Dr. Javier Cavada, President and CEO for EMEA Region at Mitsubishi Power, Khalid Salem President of Mitsubishi Power Middle East and North Africa region and GTCC Business Unit Leader, EMEA, SEPCO III Vice President Mr. Kong Lingfeng as well as the CEO of Alba, Mr. Ali Al Baqali, CPO Mr. Amin Sultan and other senior officials.

Under the terms of the contract, Mitsubishi Power & SEPCO III consortium will be responsible to design, engineer, procure, construct and commission a 680.9 megawatts (MW) Combined Cycle Gas Turbine Power Block.

Mitsubishi Power will supply a combined cycle power plant, which comprises of M701JAC gas turbine, an air-cooled version of J-series gas turbines and a steam turbine.

To meet future decarbonization needs globally, JAC gas turbines are capable of using up to 30% hydrogen fuel by volume, to reach 100% hydrogen fuel in the future with minimal existing infrastructure modification.

Adding further, Shaikh Daij Bin Salman Bin Daij Al Khalifa said:

“We are thrilled to add a fourth block into Power Station 5 to bring its power output to more than 2.4 gigawatts (GW). Investing in efficient gas turbine, our latest ambitious power project, will accelerate our ESG transition and enable Alba to reduce its Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions as we embrace Bahrain’s objectives to reach Net Zero by 2060.

We are also excited to partner with Mitsubishi Power & SEPCO III consortium, and we look forward to achieving all milestones together and as per schedule.”

Mr Kawamoto added: “The Alba Power Station 5, Block 4 Project aligns with our mission to empower our customers with the most advanced, innovative and clean energy solutions, and our ongoing commitment to help the Middle East and North Africa region achieve a robust, reliable and resilient energy infrastructure that brings it one step closer towards a carbon neutral society.”

SEPCOIII Vice President, Mr. Kong Lingfeng said: “We are delighted to work with Alba on the landmark Alba Power Station 5 Block 4 project with our partners Mitsubishi Power. SEPCOIII will deliver a state-of-the-art power plant with superior turnkey project execution expertise that meet the highest levels of quality and safety and Mitsubishi Power’s industry-leading gas turbine technology, to demonstrate Alba’s aluminium industry leadership. In addition, we are committed to provide efficient and clean energy throughout the construction of this project, in line with SEPCOIII’s mission to build excellent projects, fulfilling customers’ aspirations and promoting the welfare of society, which will contribute to Alba’s sustainable and green development strategy.”

Mitsubishi Power will further leverage decades of experience and innovation to build and supply the power technology, including the gas turbine, steam turbine, generators, and auxiliaries, in addition to providing technical support, with commercial operations set to begin in Q4 2024, statement mentioned.