H.E. Abdelaziz Djerad, Prime Minister of Algeria, followed by other senior officials, inaugurated General Electric Algeria Turbines (GEAT), a joint venture between Sonelgaz and GE located in the Ain Yagout area of the city of Batna in Algeria. Established to produce skids and turbine auxiliaries, assemble gas and steam turbines and control systems, design digital solutions, and service and repair power generation equipment, GEAT is the only facility of its kind in the African continent. The delegation also marked the conclusion of the first locally assembled gas turbine, a 9F.04 unit that is planned to be installed at the Oumach III power plant at Biskra in mid-2021.

H.E. Abdelmadjid Attar, Minister of Energy, said, GEAT is the only facility in Africa provided to collect gas and steam turbines. The inauguration of the facility and the completion of the first gas turbine at GEAT is a minute of great pride for all Algerians and shows Sonelgaz and GEs dedication to power Algeria forward. GEAT is offering to further extend Algerias energy ecosystem and supporting our national socio-economic development efforts.

GEAT is part of a US$ 168 million (approx. DZD 22 billion) investment. The facility has already started manufacturing parts such as gas turbine piping and skids, erecting turbines and control systems, and maintaining power generation equipment. It is also expected to start creating digital solutions for the power sector by 2021 and to begin providing repair services for GEs 9FA gas turbines for the first time in Africa in 2024, enabling Algerias fleet of over 30 9FA units to be repaired domestically, thus avoiding substantial foreign exchange reserves. GEAT has already created 140 jobs for Algerian nationals and is expected to create up to another 200 jobs by 2024. The staff at GEAT, including engineers, operators, logistics experts, and others, have already taken over 30,000 hours of training, both in local institutes and at GEs facilities in France, Hungary and India.

GEAT is the outcome of a strong, long-term partnership between Sonelgaz and GE. Together, we have achieved a great milestone that is enabling technology and skills transfer, building local capabilities, and encouraging us to secure the countrys energy future, stated Mr Chaher Boulakhras, President & CEO at Sonelgaz. I am particularly pleased to see the intense focus on training our people; these efforts will bring value to the local community and our country for decades to come.

GE has been honoured to support the development of Algerias power sector for over 40 years. The inauguration of GEAT reflects our long-term commitment to not just strengthen the countrys energy ecosystem but more importantly, to power increase and prosperity for the Algerian people, said Joseph Anis, President and CEO of GE Gas Power, Middle East, North Africa and South Asia.I am proud of and grateful to the teams at the Ministry of Energy, Sonelgaz, and GE who have committed to this incredible achievement.