For more than a year, six GE 9HA heavy-duty gas turbines have been helping to provide electricity to millions of Pakistanis.

The turbines, located two each at the Bhikki, Haveli Bahadur Shah, and Balloki power plants, together have a combined generating capacity of up to 3,600 megawatts (MW). That’s the equivalent electricity needed to supply over 7 million Pakistani homes.

Since entering commercial operations, they have racked up a total of over 80,000 operating hours, running day and night to help meet a significant part of the country’s previous energy gap.

Over this period, they have distinguished themselves by helping these plants achieve the highest net efficiency levels of any gas power plant in the country – up to 62.44% at Haveli Bahadur Shah. That means these plants have the lowest cost of converting natural gas to electricity, and that results in lower fuel bills and fewer greenhouse gas emissions per megawatt of power.

The recent Pakistan 9HA Tech Conference in Islamabad highlighted the contributions of GE Power’s 9HA gas turbine technology and teams in meeting Pakistan’s energy needs and strengthening community infrastructure.

“Providing efficient, affordable electricity to the Pakistani grid is a tremendous accomplishment. It represents a critical step towards supporting national efforts to bridge the energy gap for the benefit of individuals, companies and the national economy,” said Akhtar Hussain Mayo, CEO of Quaid-e-Azam Thermal Power (Private) Limited (QATPL), owner of the Bhikki Power Plant.

The highly efficient GE 9HA technology plays a major part in achieving these benefits. The 9HA holds multiple efficiency records, not only in Pakistan, but on a global scale, in both France and Japan. Today, the technology is the fastest growing fleet of heavy-duty gas turbines globally. More than 100 units have been ordered from over 40 customers across over 18 countries.

GE’s commitment towards further developing infrastructure and living conditions in Pakistan are also reflected in the company’s vibrant spirit of volunteerism and community service. For example, the GE Power team recently helped to refurbish and repair the Government Girls High School Haveli Bahadur Shah in district Jhang.

This work included providing much-needed school supplies, furniture, and water coolers. More than 980 female children benefitted from these activities, which created a more comfortable learning environment for students.

“We look at GE as a key contributor to the development of a sustainable power generation sector in our country thus improving the lives of the present and future generations of Pakistanis,” said Dhanpat Kotak, CEO of National Power Parks Management Company (NPPMCL), which owns Haveli Bahadur Shah and Balloki Power Plants. “GE’s global technology leadership, on the ground local presence, and responsible corporate citizenship efforts are testimony to the many benefits that the company is bringing to Pakistan.”

For more than 50 years, GE has been a partner to Pakistan in the power sector and beyond. Read more about GE’s contribution to the power sector and human capital development in Pakistan and across the Middle East, North Africa, Turkey and Pakistan region.