In a significant development, Grid Solutions, an essential component of GE Vernova energy portfolio, has been chosen to execute a contract by Larsen & Toubro (L&T), a renowned Indian engineering and construction conglomerate. This contract entails the supply of 380 kV T155 gas-insulated substations (GIS) for the world's largest utility-scale hydrogen plant located within the futuristic city of NEOM in Saudi Arabia.

The sprawling plant, situated in NEOM planned smart city, Oxagon, is set to run entirely on renewable energy, particularly green hydrogen production. The NEOM Green Hydrogen Company (NGHC), a collaboration involving Saudi utility Acwa Power, global industrial gases leader Air Products, and NEOM, aims to generate carbon-free hydrogen using solely wind and solar power. The plant's goal is to produce up to 600 tonnes per day by the end of 2026.

Larsen & Toubro has previously worked alongside GE Grid Solutions on various transmission and distribution projects. Notably, a similar GIS model was successfully implemented at another Saudi Arabian project. L&T secured the engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) contract from NEOM for multiple energy infrastructure components, including a 2.2 GWac PV solar plant, a 1.65 GW wind generation balance of plant, and a 400 MWh battery energy storage system.

Under this agreement, L&T will be responsible for constructing three 380 kV substations, 306 km of 380 kV overhead lines, and the necessary underground cables to bolster the kingdom's electrical grid.

GE's field-proven GIS design, coupled with the 1.5 breaker configuration, ensures uninterrupted operations at the hydrogen, wind, and photovoltaic plants. This infrastructure will produce captive energy for the plant while also enhancing power supply reliability for the primary grid. Philippe Piron, President and CEO of GE Grid Solutions, expressed pride in GE's involvement in the NEOM Green Hydrogen Project, emphasizing the commitment to supporting Saudi Arabia's National Renewable Energy Programme and its vision for an optimal generation mix by 2030.

The agreement mandates GE to oversee the design, manufacturing, supply, installation, and commissioning of 92 bays of GIS equipment for the plant. These components are being manufactured at Grid Solutions' facility in Aix-Les-Bains, France.

Eric Chaussin, Power Transmission Leader at GE Grid Solutions, commented on the NEOM Green Hydrogen Project's significance, considering it a pivotal step toward Saudi Arabia's journey to a more sustainable and decarbonized future.