RIYADH, 9 October 2003 — Crown Prince Abdullah, deputy premier and commander of the National Guard, yesterday inaugurated the largest electricity power plant in the capital constructed at a cost of SR5.128 billion.
Prince Abdullah unveiled a plaque to mark the opening of the plant, which has 16 gas-powered and four steam-powered units with a total capacity to generate 1,380 megawatts.
Prince Sultan, second deputy premier and minister of defense and aviation, Riyadh Governor Prince Salman, Water and Electricity Minister Dr. Ghazi Al-Gosaibi and other officials attended the function.
In his statement on the occasion, Al-Gosaibi said the Kingdom’s privatization plan was aimed at protecting the interests of citizens as a whole rather than serving the interests of a few investors.
He urged employees of the Saudi Electricity Company (SEC) to work hard to improve the quality of its service. “There is no room or justification for negligence,” he added.
Addressing the ceremony, Suleiman Al-Qadi, executive president of the company, said it was one of the biggest power plants in the Kingdom.
He highlighted the company’s efforts in providing efficient service. “We will work to our fullest capacity to cope with the development and growth in the country,” he added.
Since its establishment in 2000, the SEC has implemented projects worth SR21 billion.
A recent study conducted by the Dubai Center for International Research and Studies and the Gulf Organization for Industry Consultations, the Kingdom’s electricity sector will require $90 billion (SR337.5 billion) over the next 20 years.
Prince Abdullah honored the chairmen of previous boards of directors of the General Electricity Organization and regional electricity companies by awarding commemorative shields to them. They included Abdul Aziz Al-Zamil, Dr. Hashim Yamani, Mahmoud Taiba, Dr. Abdul Rahman Al-Zamil, Dr. Jameel Al-Jeshi, Yousuf Al-Hammad, Abdullah Al-Tasan, Fehaid Al-Sharif, Dr. Abdul Rahman Al-Tuwaijeri, Dr. Abdul Aziz Al-Quwaiz and Mahmoud Khaleel.
The newly opened power plant is located 55 km east of the capital.
