Decarbonizing industry in the UAE: Emirates Global Aluminium

Improving environmental performance at the world’s largest ‘premium aluminium’ producer

A Siemens Energy H-class gas turbine is at the heart of a new state-of-the-art power plant at Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA). The highly efficient H-class gas turbine is the first in the world to be installed within an aluminium smelter, generating approximately 600 megawatts of power. The new power plant improves the efficiency of power generation at EGA, saving natural resources, reducing costs and environment emissions. The project was developed by JA Power & Water Co, a joint venture formed by Mubadala and Dubal Holding.

Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA) is the world’s largest ‘premium aluminium’ producer and the biggest industrial company in the UAE outside oil and gas. EGA supplies metal to UAE companies that make parts for everything from skyscrapers to cars, covering most of the country’s primary aluminium needs. The company is at the heart of a growing broader aluminium sector in the country. EGA runs power plants at its sites in Jebel Ali and Al Taweelah with a current combined generating capacity of over 6,000 megawatts, making the company the largest power-producer in the UAE after the Dubai and Abu Dhabi utilities.

"We are proud that our innovative solutions will help to drive decarbonization in the UAE's industrial sector and are looking forward to many more years of collaboration with EGA, Mubadala, and Dubal Holding,” says Karim Amin, Member of the Executive Board, Siemens Energy

Lowering emissions

The new power block will lower greenhouse gas emissions from EGA's power generation and aluminium-smelting operations at Jebel Ali by 10 percent, the equivalent of planting more than 17 million trees each year. NOx emissions are expected to decrease by as much as 58 percent. NOx is also emitted by motor vehicles, and the new power block is equivalent to removing more than 850,000 cars from Dubai’s roads.

The UAE plans to reduce the carbon footprint of power generation in the country by 70 percent and increase energy efficiency by 40 percent as part of UAE Energy Strategy 2050.

“I was part of the H-Block since the beginning. We had only sand in this area, we had to start from scratch. We had to build the team, and we also made sure we select the best contractor. We selected Siemens Energy, and we selected a very strong project team,” says Mohamed Al Bastaki, H-Block Project Director at Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA)

A team effort

Construction of the new power block took 12.8 million hours of work, and was completed with a world-class safety record, and zero injuries leading to time off work. Gert Landmann, our Project Director, led a highly skilled execution team to deliver the project, working closely with the EGA, Mubadala and Dubal Holding teams. Sergio Rodrigues, our Project Manager, was part of the project from inception to its completion in 2021.

“What drove the project was always the team spirit,” says Sergio Rodrigues, Project Manager, H-Block, Siemens Energy. “We always focused on the ‘we’ rather than the ‘me’. This is the only way to bring a project of this complexity, of this magnitude to a successful end.”

A logistical feat

The giant H-class gas turbine, the largest in the UAE, was built in Berlin and shipped to the UAE by sea. When it arrived in the UAE, the 457 ton, 13.5 meter gas turbine was moved by road from DP World’s Jebel Ali port and installed at EGA’s Jebel Ali site in a carefully-planned overnight operation. The gas turbine was transported the six kilometers from Jebel Ali port using an oversized truck.

"With the successful implementation of the EGA project and by providing the first SGT5-8000H in the UAE and in the Middle East region, we can say that Siemens Energy has set a benchmark," says Gert Landmann, H-Block Project Director at Siemens Energy

A project to be proud of for many years to come

The UAE aims to be a global leader in sustainability and the new power plant at EGA is a step towards the nation’s long-term goal of decarbonizing its key industries. Siemens Energy, Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA), Mubadala and Dubal Holding will continue to work together to ensure reliable operations in the years to come.