Alba ignites first Mitsubishi gas turbine in Power Station 5 (PS 5) Block 4 Project

Aluminium Bahrain B.S.C. (Alba), a prominent player in the global aluminium smelting industry, reached a significant milestone in its Power Station 5 (PS 5) Block 4 Project with the First Fire of the Mitsubishi Power M701JAC Gas Turbine (GT) on April 23, 2024. This achievement highlights Alba's commitment to sustainable and efficient power generation, aligning with global initiatives for environmental responsibility.

The First Fire marks a crucial step towards the commercial operation of the Block 4 Project, scheduled for completion in Q4 2024. Remarkably, this milestone comes merely six months after the delivery of the GT unit to the project site in October 2023.

A ceremony commemorating this achievement took place at the Block 4 Project site, attended by top officials from Alba, including Chairman Khalid Al Rumaihi and CEO Ali Al Baqali. Senior representatives from Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) and SEPCOIII were also present, highlighting the collaborative effort behind the project's success.

Through his words, Alba's Chairman Khalid Al Rumaihi marked the importance of the First Fire milestone and asserted: "This achievement marks the commencement of commissioning activities for Block 4, which upon completion will set a new standard for sustainable and efficient power generation within the aluminium industry."

He went on to praise Alba's commitment to environmental responsibility by saying: "The Block 4 Project translates our proactive approach to integrating energy operational efficiency with environmental standards to align with Bahrain's Net Zero Emissions target by 2060."

Alba's dedication to environmental responsibility was reiterated, aligning with Bahrain's Net Zero Emissions target by 2060. Continuing the celebration, Alba's CEO, Ali Al Baqali, expressed profound pride in safely achieving this milestone, backed by over 3.8 million hours of safe working.

He focused the direct alignment of the project with Alba's Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) Roadmap, reinforcing the company's commitment to sustainable practices. "With the successful First Fire of the advanced Gas Turbine, Alba is now closer to achieving its goals of reducing its environmental footprint and ensuring a sustainable future for the aluminium industry," he added.

The success of the First Fire was attributed to the collaborative efforts of teams from Alba, MHI, SEPCOIII, and ESBI. This partnership reflects confidence in delivering the project on schedule, showcasing the industry's commitment to innovation and reliability.

Senior representatives from MHI and SEPCOIII reiterated their commitment to supporting Bahrain's economic growth targets outlined in the Economic Vision 2030. The project's advanced technology underlines the partners' dedication to low-carbon power generation and sustainable development.

The Senior Vice President, Vice President Energy Systems at MHI, Takashi Tozawa, implied: "Mitsubishi Power is honoured to support Alba and the Kingdom of Bahrain as we celebrate the successful achievement of the first firing for gas turbine ahead of schedule and the start of the hot commissioning of Alba's new CCGT Block 4 in Power Station 5 with our partners SEPCOIII. Today's success is a testament to our unwavering commitment to using the latest innovations to deliver industry-leading and reliable solutions to our partners. Our advanced, hydrogen-ready M701 JAC gas turbine technology provided for this project also underscores Mitsubishi Power's dedication to advancing low-carbon power generation worldwide. As Bahrain progresses towards its ambitious growth targets outlined in the Economic Vision 2030, we take great pride in working together with Alba to provide uninterrupted and efficient power to support the country on its journey to sustainable growth."

Kong Lingfeng SEPCOIII's Vice President exclaimed: "As SEPCOIII, we proudly celebrate the successful first firing of the gas turbine and the start of hot commissioning for Alba's new CCGT Block 4 at Power Station 5 in Bahrain. This milestone showcases our dedication to innovative solutions, reflecting our commitment to global low-carbon power generation. Collaborating with Alba, we deliver reliable, sustainable power, supporting Bahrain's Economic Vision 2030."

Alba's PS5 Block 4 Expansion Project involves the addition of a fourth Block with a combined cycle configuration, including the M701JAC Gas Turbine. Once operational, Block 4 will significantly increase the capacity of the PS5 Complex and reduce the overall greenhouse gas emissions intensity ratio.