The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has experienced significant population growth, and with it the requirement for supporting infrastructure. Black & Veatch played a crucial role to help meet rising energy demand in Jeddah – Saudi Arabia’s second-largest city. With a population of more than 4 million, Jeddah is the major urban center of western Saudi Arabia.

The Power Plant 3 (PP3) expansion project has addressed Jeddah’s growing electricity needs. Black & Veatch was selected by Saudi Arabia-based National Contracting Company to perform engineering and project management scope for an eight-unit power plant addition.

The PP3 project is located to the south of Jeddah. The existing plant comprised of 27 simple cycle units, and the upgrade provides another eight units. These use General Electric 7EA combustion turbines designed to lower emissions and improve efficiency. Enhancements include significant expansion of crude oil treatment and storage facilities and the provision of a fire station, site security building and workshop.

Completed in 2005, the PP3 plant is capable of producing 480 megawatts of electricity. Through its role in the project, Black & Veatch supported Saudi Electricity Company’s generation expansion plans to ensure a stable, efficient and ample supply of electricity within the kingdom.

For more than 40 years Black & Veatch has executed owner’s engineer and EPC (engineering, procurement, construction) projects in Saudi Arabia. These include the Rabigh 2x660 MW heavy fuel oil thermal project; the Al-Khafji power project; construction of six desalination plants along Saudi Arabia's Red Sea Coast; and the Shoaibah to Jeddah water transfer project.

Today, Black & Veatch’s local presence is felt in its Riyadh and Dubai offices, serving as local platforms working with the company’s integrated global execution teams.