Energy-rich Egypt seen by 2020

Cairo - New Siemens plants to bolster country's power-generation capacity by 50%

German firm siemens is working on a war-footing to complete the three power generating plants in Beni Suef, El Borolus and the new administrative capital.
The plants will enhance Egypt's power generation capacity by 50 per cent and create more than 30,000 jobs, said Siemens officials.
Speaking at a ceremony, the officials said that when completed, the plants would add 16.4GW to Egypt's national grid by 2020. This would boost the country's power capacity with surplus energy.
Egypt had awarded Siemens with ?8 billion (Dh33 billion) record energy orders last year to increase the country's power generation, making it self-sufficient to meet the growing power demands. The Beni Suef plant will start supplying its electricity to the national grid by year-end. Upon completion, the plant will provide 4.8GW of power, enough for around 15 million Egyptians.
Demonstrating the firm's commitment to a strict implementation schedule, a ceremony was held by Siemens at the 500,000sqm Beni Suef site in the presence of Egyptian Minister of Electricity and Renewable Energy Dr Mohamed Shaker.
Two of the 400MW turbines and six 500 kilovolt generator transformers were placed on their foundations, marking an important milestone towards the commissioning of the plant. The plant is set to become the world's biggest gas-fired combined-cycle power plant complex when completed.
"Today, we celebrate an important milestone in the modernisation of Egypt's energy infrastructure and I am sure that many other milestones will follow," said Dr Shaker.
"Egypt is undergoing economic transformation and as the country embarks on a series of ambitious infrastructure projects, efficient and reliable electricity will be essential to powering this development," said the minister, adding that "the Beni Suef plant, alongside Siemens' other power projects in the country, will definitely make an important contribution towards sustainable power supply in Egypt."
Speaking about the power plant, Willi Meixner, CEO of Siemens' Power and Gas Division, said that with its local partners, Siemens would build three natural gas-fired combined cycle power plants with a total capacity of 14.4GW.
The Beni Suef power plant with total capacity of 4.4GW will be connected to the national grid within 19 months - from signing to service - which is six months faster than the world benchmark.
"Egypt's Sustainable Development Strategy outlines the need to provide affordable, reliable and modern energy services, boost energy efficiency and diversify the country's energy mix," said Meixner. "Thanks to innovative technology, our energy projects in Egypt are set to transform the power landscape - boosting power generation by 50 per cent, creating thousands of jobs and resulting in $1.3 billion in fuel savings annually."
With the arrival of Egypt's first H-class gas turbines, Siemens has launched its new branding campaign in Egypt and the Middle East, titled 'Ingenuity for life', said Dietmar Siersdorfer, CEO of Siemens Middle East. "[This] milestone in Beni Suef is a perfect example of what we call ingenuity for life. With our engineering expertise, our power of innovation and local partners, we create long-term value and jobs for the people of Egypt - and beyond."
Replying to a question, Siersdorfer said Siemens had started training the first batch of 600 Egyptian engineers and technicians last month. The move is part of the company's commitment to building local expertise in Egypt's energy industry, in collaboration with the Egyptian Ministry of Electricity and Renewable Energy, he added. In addition to the gas-fired plants, the German company will also build 12 wind farms in the Gulf of Suez and West Nile regions. About 600 turbines will be erected, with an installed capacity of 2GW.
Siemens has been doing business in Egypt since 1859 and has maintained a continuous presence in the country since opening its first office in Cairo in 1901, Siersdorfer said.
Maximilian Egger, CEO of Siemens Egypt, and Ahmed El Sewedy, CEO of El Sewedy Electric, also spoke on the occasion highlighting the company's operation.
- imtiaz@khaleejtimes.com