Siemens, Energy-iBB contenders to Egypt-Sudan electric interconnection

Performance, operating tests to start in January, launch current March 2019: sources

Daily News Egypt has obtained the full details on the situation of the electric connection project with Sudan, as the ministry of electricity signed a contract with Siemens to install two cells for the project in the Tushka plant. The installation will be completed by January 2019.
High-level sources at the ministry said that officials from the ministry have taken representatives of Siemens and Energy-iBB to Sudan to examine the Sudanese electric grid, and the connection points, in order to implement the ineffective power compensator transformers, which is one of the basics in the connection project in order to maintain the stability of the network and the electrical efforts, in addition to preventing any declines in capacity.
The sources added that Siemens and Energy-iBB are the only companies that could implement the ineffective power compensator transformers. The aim of the two companies' visit to the location of the project is to understand the requirements and specifications, in order to make a proper technical and financial effort. A contract will be signed with the cheapest financial offer
The source noted that the supply of static var compensator requires six to eight months, and this does not contradict the pilot operation of the project.
Egypt and Sudan have agreed to set up a 300 MW electric interconnection project on two phases. The first phase begins from the Toshka 2 transformer substation to the 220 kV transformer substation in Arqen, Sudan. The second phase's capacity will reach 500 kV.
The sources explained that L&T company delayed in the implementation of the project, and was reprimanded by the minister of electricity, who also commented on the way the company is operating in the project and warning that the project could be withdrawn.
The sources added that the performance testing and experimental operation of the project in the first stage with a capacity of 150 MW will start in the first week of January, and the actual operation and transmission will need two more months.
The electricity interconnection project with Sudan is part of Egypt's plan to transform into a regional energy centre, and to exchange of electricity with Arab, African and European countries after achieving a surplus of 15,000 MW.
The Egyptian government is seeking to complete the electricity linkage project with Sudan as soon as possible, as Egypt is keen to support the African countries and the Nile Basin to meet their electricity needs.