GE Power has secured a services deal to lead the digital industrial transformation of the Sonelgaz’s power plants in Algeria.

The services deal with the state-owned utility is GE Power’s largest ever in its history and is expected to help Sonelgaz save $2bn in gas which in turn can be sold in international markets.

GE’s new contract will include long-term operations and maintenance (O&M) services for 10 power plants of Sonelgaz with a combined power generation capacity of 11GW.

Apart from that, GE Power will provide technology upgrades to the plants that are expected to yield higher energy efficiency, resulting in an additional 420MW.

Overall, the enhanced capacities are likely to strengthen the power plants’ operational efficiency and productivity of the plants.

GE Power president and CEO Steve Bolze said: “The emphasis on building industrial capacity and the focus on the digital transformation of power plant assets are long-term investments in the future of the country.

“GE is honored to strengthen our collaboration with Sonelgaz and help create a vibrant local ecosystem for the power sector that will help meet the needs of people and various industries across Algeria.”

The agreements between the two companies were signed at their joint venture GE Algeria Turbines (GEAT) plant in Ain Yagout. The plant will manufacture gas and steam turbines for Sonelgaz.

GE Power has also secured what is its second largest industrial internet software deal, after Sonelgaz chose to deploy its asset performance management and operations optimization software applications for its power plants.

Sonelgaz president and CEO Mustapha Guitouni said: “The opening of GEAT and the digital industrial transformation of our plants are significant steps forward in achieving our economic vision of industrial diversification, boosting productivity, and maximizing asset utilization.

“GE’s advanced suite of digital technologies will help transform our power plants, build local talent, and strengthen the culture of localization.”

GE’s software will monitor and assess data collected from thousands of sensors across the Sonelgaz power plants. It will be used for predicting and neutralizing unplanned downtime while enhancing the power plants’ productivity by leveraging on advanced data analytics.

Image: GE Power, Sonelgaz signed power services deal in Algeria. Photo: courtesy of General Electric.