There is a continuous demand for energy in Egypt with a need for an additional 5.2 gigawatts (GW) of new electricity capacity every year through 2022. Furthermore, the Egyptian government released its Vision 2030 last year highlighting clear targets for the country when it comes to the energy sector. These targets include: renewables making up 20% of the energy mix by 2020, doubling the rate of energy efficiency by 2030 and increasing water production 5% annually.
At this week's World Future Energy Summit (WFES), global and Egyptian energy experts are again gathering at the Egypt Energy Forum 2016, a daylong event on the sidelines of WFES outlining the updated investment opportunities in Egypt's gas, power, water, solar, wind and waste sectors over the next decade.
The country enjoys excellent wind regimes particularly in the Suez Gulf where the average wind speed reaches 10.5 m/sec, and wind energy resources are available in large regions on the Nile banks and parts of Sinai. Egypt also enjoys direct solar radiation of 2000-3200 kWh/m2/year across its large landmass.
GE, which is a major contributor to the ongoing Egypt Power Boost Program, is sponsoring and participating in the forum; Debora Frodl, Global Executive Director of Ecomagination, is giving a keynote address highlighting GE's role in Egypt's energy sector, potential investment opportunities and showcasing how GE's Ecomagination initiative can helps support Egypt's energy needs. Additionally, Timothy Richards, Head of Government Affair in GE for the Middle East, North Africa and Turkey, is speaking on a panel entitled, "Egypt's rapidly expanding clean energy opportunity."
GE recently signed a US$650-million contract with the Egyptian Ministry of Electricity to bring an additional 750 megawatts (MW) of new power to the grid without using any additional fuel.
The West Damietta and Assiut Power plants, which were both commissioned during the summer of 2015 as part of the Power Boost Program, already generate 1,500 MW using 12 GE 9E gas turbines. The heat from these turbines will be used to heat water into steam, using D200 steam turbines, to generate an additional 750 MW, increasing the total capacity of the two plants from 1,500 MW to 2,250 MW. This improves the overall efficiency of the plants by reducing waste heat and generating more power using the same amount of fuel.
The additional power is expected to enter the grid before the summer of 2018, reflecting GE's continuous support to Egypt's growing energy needs.
For more than 40 years, GE has worked with local partners to build the infrastructure supporting Egypt's growth and development. With more than 130 of GE's advanced gas turbines installed in country, GE helps power more than 11 million homes nationwide. GE also has a number of strong partnerships in the energy sector that continue to play a role in supporting Egypt's Vision 2030;
- Partnering with Petrojet to locally manufacture pumping units to serve the oil & gas industry; to date more than 1,000 units have been manufactured in Petrojet's workshops in country.
- Providing Egypt Basic Industries Corporation solutions to reduce water consumption, increase water availability and eliminate the need for wastewater disposal.
- Supporting Carbon Holdings to build the world's largest naphtha cracker plant with integrated solutions from GE Power and GE Oil & Gas solutions portfolio.
Additionally, in an effort to help boost innovation and localization in country, GE announced in 2015 a $200 million investment to build a multi-modal manufacturing and training facility to be located in Suez. Built on the GE Store concept, the facility aims at fueling innovation and application across sectors to help solve Egypt's toughest challenges.
For those visiting WFES, GE invites you to learn more about the company's support to Egypt's power sector, and to the region as a whole, by visiting its stand in Hall 5, Booth number 5420.
Click here to learn more.
