Egypt is moving ahead with plans to attract private investment into electricity infrastructure for new cities under the New Urban Communities Authority (NUCA), as officials seek to expand public-private partnerships (PPP) and ease pressure on state finances. At a meeting chaired by Prime Minister Moustafa Madbouly, officials discussed mechanisms for financing, building, operating and maintaining transformer stations and electricity networks, according to a government statement. The initiative is being supported by the Finance Ministry's Central PPP Unit. Consortia will be invited to prequalify for projects that will be implemented under the supervision of the Egyptian Electricity Transmission Company. Winning bidders will sign separate contracts for operation and maintenance and for power supply, using models prepared by the electricity regulator. Officials at the meeting said greater private sector involvement is expected to speed up delivery of infrastructure, shift costs off the state budget, and ensure higher quality in long-term management and operations. Attribution: Amwal Al Ghad English Subediting: Y.Yasser
