GE Energy has signed a $115 million, long-term service agreement with Fujian Jinjiang Gas Power Co. Ltd. that helps address the need for reliable and efficient power generation to support the rapid economic growth of Fujian Province in southeastern China.

The nine-year agreement covers four Frame 9FA gas turbines at the Fujian Jinjiang plant, located on the coast of Taiwan Strait. The plant produces more than 1,560 megawatts and is a key part of the local government’s initiative to increase the province’s power generation capacity to 3,500 megawatts by 2010. Based on GE’s core technology, the gas turbines were supplied by Harbin Power Equipment Company,a GE business associate in China.

“The new agreement underscores our continuing commitment to help our customers in China and worldwide meet growing economic and societal needs,” said Dan Heintzelman, president of Energy Services for GE Energy. “Our service agreements are designed to provide customers with access to our latest technology, enabling them to maximize the productivity of their power generation assets and help control both emissions and operating costs.”

The scope of GE’s service agreement with Fujian Jinjiang will include parts, services, repairs and training and will cover one major inspection period for the gas turbines. The agreement helps to ensure that the power plant will continue to meet its efficiency goals, making it one of the most efficient power stations in China.

The Fujian Jinjiang service agreement marks GE Energy’s second major service announcement in China this year. In March, GE reported the signing of two service and maintenance agreements totaling US$128 million for two Chinese power plants, including the largest combined-cycle plant in Zhejiang Province and a Fujian Refining & Petrochemical plant in Fujian Province.

GE currently is managing service agreements for customers at more than 700 sites covering 2,000 turbines worldwide. Benefits to customers include performance guarantees, predictable maintenance costs and access to GE’s technology and global experience.

GE Energy has been active in China for nearly a century and has provided the country with a wide range of products including more than 270 gas turbines, 70 steam turbines, more than 300 hydro turbines and more than 600 wind turbines. GE also has obtained 39 licenses for gasification technology projects in the country.