Four international companies are competing to acquire consultancy services for the establishment of 14 control centres for electricity distribution companies nationwide. Sources at the Egyptian Holding Electricity Company (EEHC) told Daily News Egypt that 10 Arab and international companies submitted their bids to undertake the consultancy work on the project of setting up control centres for electricity distribution companies, and that six have been shortlisted, while two have been excluded. The competing companies include DNV GL, EDF Energy, Fichtner, and Lahmeyer Group. The sources revealed that four companies have been shortlisted to implement 14 power control centres at a cost of EGP 15bn. Among the companies the EEHC is now choosing between for implementation are Siemens, General Electric, and Schneider Electric. The sources pointed out that the four companies' technical proposals were accepted among the eight companies that submitted bids to the EEHC. The contract is set to be awarded before June. The winning company will implement the main control system and develop the protection and communication networks to raise the operational performance and improve the quality of electrical feeding. The new control centres will be established in the areas where North Cairo Electricity Distribution Company, Canal Electricity Distribution Company, and South Cairo Electricity Distribution operate. These areas are densely populated and need expansion to improve service. Minister of Electricity and Renewable Energy Mohamed Shaker said in previous statements to Daily News Egypt that the current priorities of the sector are implementing the plan to develop and modernise transmission and distribution networks and control centres needed to absorb the added capabilities of new projects and raise the level of service provided to the public with high efficiency.
