Putting a 650-MW Gas Plant Online in Egypt Within Five Months

Power-strapped Egypt's first fast-track natural gas-fired project was completed in a record 159 days from groundbreaking to commissioning this July.

The 650-MW Attaqa Simple Cycle Power Plant near Suez City built by Siemens and Egyptian firm Elsewedy Electric is a project comprising four Siemens SGT5-2000E gas turbines. The project was designated a priority by Egypt's Fast-Track Electricity Plan 2015, which seeks to meet the country's booming power demand by adding 3.6 GW of new generating capacity to existing power facilities throughout Egypt.

The Attaqa project got its start in December 2014, when an Elsewedy Electric subsidiary signed an engineering, procurement, and construction contract as a main contractor for the Egyptian Ministry of Electricity and Renewable Energy for the design, supply, construction, and installation of the plant. Siemens tested, commissioned, and connected the gas turbine and generator packages to the national grid.

Siemens SGT5-2000E gas turbine package, consisting of a 172-MW turbine and generator, is designed for the 50-Hz market.

The companies say the project was commissioned a stunning six months ahead of schedule.

-Sonal Patel, associate editor

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