CAIRO: GE will supply six gas turbines and associated services to the Egyptian Electricity Holding Company, contracts which are worth $300 million in total, according to a statement. The contracts are for two new combined-cycle power plants, one in Giza and another in Banha. GE and its consortium partner, SEPCO III, were selected for the expansions of Giza North and Banha power plants. The projects will add 2,250 megawatts of capacity to the country's power grid, or 10 percent of capacity to the country's grid, supporting residents and businesses in Cairo. The Giza North and Banha plants are scheduled to enter service by the middle of 2013, in time for peak power demand in the summer. According to Egypt's Ministry of Electricity and Energy, the country experienced 13 percent growth in electricity demand from 2009 to 2010, and the growth is expected to continue at a rate of approximately 11 percent over the next five years. Minister Hassan Younes said, “Egypt is heralding a new era in its growth story, with a focus on the all-round development of all economic sectors. Driving this is the power industry, which is being upgraded and strengthened to meet the needs of the people, and boost business efficiencies.” Joseph Anis, GE Energy's president and CEO for the Middle East, said, “Strong economic growth in Egypt continues to drive the need to increase the country's supply of reliable electricity.” The two new plants plan to operate at 56 percent combined-cycle efficiency while meeting emissions standards of 25 ppm NOx (Nitrogen Oxides). Natural gas will be the primary fuel for both plants, according to the statement. The four 9FA Gas Turbines at Giza North, located 30 kilometers northwest of Cairo, will have a total capacity of 1,000 megawatts, while the plant will generate 1,500 megawatts in combined-cycle operation. The two 9FA Gas Turbines at Banha, which is 40 kilometers northwest of Cairo, have a total capacity of 500 megawatts and the plant's combined-cycle output will be 750 megawatts. The gas turbines are scheduled for shipment to the project sites in the second quarter of 2012. GE has been present in Egypt since 1974. These contracts constitute the largest power generation order between GE and Egypt, the firm said.
