Algeria: GE signs landmark deal for turbine manufacturing plant

GE signed an agreement on 19 March to build a turbine manufacturing facility in the eastern province of Batna, as a condition for winning a massive $2bn turbine supply contract (AE 260/6). The $400m complex, to be developed in partnership with Algeria’s Sonelgaz, will give GE a dominant position in the local market as Algeria seeks to develop its energy capacity. The facility will start operating in 2017, producing six to eight turbines and associated control systems each year, with a total capacity of 2,000MW.