OREANDA-NEWS. GDF SUEZ, together with its partners, has fully commissioned 3,217 MW of power generation capacity in the Middle East during the last month after three gas-fired power plants, Barka 3 and Sohar 2 in Oman as well as Riyadh PP11 in Saudi Arabia, reached commercial operation on schedule. The Group is the leading independent power generator in the region, with interests in 25,000 MW of operating capacity in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries.

Gerard Mestrallet, Chairman and CEO of GDF SUEZ, commented: "The commissioning of these three projects on schedule confirms our leading position as an independent power and water producer in the Middle East and demonstrates our ability to successfully meet the increasing energy and water demand in these fast growing countries. We remain committed to the region and continue to see opportunities for further growth."

Riyadh PP11 is a gas-fired independent power project with a capacity of 1,729 MW, situated about 125 km west of Riyadh. The project stayed on track during the three years of construction, providing over 600 MW of early power in June 2012 and completing the commissioning in combined cycle configuration ahead of schedule in March 2013.

Barka 3 and Sohar 2 are 744 MW gas-fired plants in Oman, located 50km and 250km northwest of Muscat respectively. Both plants completed full commissioning in the first week of April 2013 and their combined capacity of 1,488 MW increases the total installed capacity in Oman by more than 30%.

All three projects are fully contracted with high quality power off-takers for up to 20 years. The total capital investment for all three projects amounts to approximately USD 3.8 billion, with debt financing representing over 70% of the overall funding required.