GE (NYSE: GE) is partnering with Sapphire Electric Company Limited through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to co-create GE Predictivity solutions that will play an integral role in delivering more power to Pakistan, and help close a gap between the countrys power capacity and ongoing electricity demand.

GE Predictivity solutions combine the power of the companys connected machines network, data analytics and people at work to help power generators manage their plant facilities more productively, and make well-informed operational decisions. The MoU is part of GEs strategic partnership approach to co-create tailored solutions that will increase the power plant output.

Mr. Shahid Abdullah, Chief Executive Officer of Sapphire said, This strategic agreement with GE underlines our vision to be the most efficient and to serve the needs of our customers and investor communities. GE brings extensive industry experience to our partnership, and we look forward to continuing our collaboration in helping expand Pakistans power generation infrastructure as our communities continue to grow.

GEs MoU with Sapphire features the co-creation of a package of solutions that will help expand the operational performance of the Muridke Power Station, in Sheikhupura, Punjab, Pakistan. Sapphire expects the upgrades to improve both power plant output and reliability. Azeez Mohammed, President & CEO, GE Power Generation Services, Middle East and Africa, and Shahid Abdullah, Chief Executive Officer Sapphire Electric Company, signed todays agreement in the presence of Karl Fessenden, President & CEO of GE Power Generation Services globally.

GEs solutions will be integrated into the plant in several phases to enable the automation of processes and data-driven insights that will drive the improved performance at the Muridke Power Station. The combined cycle power plant is powered by two GE 6FA gas turbines.

GE has been a strategic partner of Sapphire since 2007, and had signed agreements to operate and maintain the power generation equipment at the Muridke Power Station.

We are proud to strengthen our partnership with Sapphire Electric Company through this important agreement, which will help drive more momentum in expanding Pakistans power generation capacity, said Azeez Mohammed. Strengthening its energy sector capacity is crucial to meet the growing demand for power in Pakistan. It also highlights the capabilities of our Power Generation Services business to provide smarter, cleaner and more efficient solutions to our customers, and the communities they serve.

GE is a key player in supporting the development of the power sector in Pakistan, previously signing a MoU to develop Pakistans energy resources to meet the projected demand of 54,000 megawatts by 2020. If the concepts being developed under the Sapphire MoU were to be adopted on a broader scale, up to 600 MW of additional power could be achieved within Pakistans existing power generation infrastructure.

With three offices in Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad, GE has supported Pakistans energy needs since the countrys independence in 1947. In the 1960s, GE was among the first companies to install gas and steam turbines in the country.

Sapphire Electric Company Limited was incorporated in Pakistan in January 2005. It was granted Generation License in June 2006 by the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) for the Muridke Power Station, and the Power Purchase Agreement was signed with NTDC on February 19, 2007. The plant has been in commercial operation since October 5, 2010.