GE Power, Egypt’s EETC to connect 120 MW of wind power

GE Power announced that it has signed an agreement with the Egyptian Electricity Transmission Company (EETC) for the extension of the Gabal El Zayt 22/220 kilovolt (kV) Gas Insulated Substation, connecting an additional 120 megawatts (MW) of power to the national grid by the end of 2018.

The extension will leverage GE Power’s Grid Solutions portfolio, which includes GE’s B105 220 kV gas-insulated switchgear (GIS), in addition to medium and low voltage systems, control and protection systems and auxiliary services. GE will also provide local project management, engineering, design, fabrication, the erection of power transformers, site management, testing and commissioning services on a turnkey basis.

Eng. Gamal Abdel Rehim, EETC Chairman said: “This project is a direct reflection of our efforts to continuously upgrade Egypt’s national grid, and in so doing delivering increased energy supply and support toward the diversification of the country’s energy mix. GE has always been a committed partner to EETC, and we are proud of our partnerships and the tangible results they generate in the energy sector.”

The Gabal El Zayt substation is the main connection point between the Gabal El Zayt wind farm, one of the largest in the region, and the grid. First commissioned in 2014 by GE, this will be the substation’s second extension. Upon completion of this extension, the substation’s total capacity will reach 540 MW, with plans to connect another 40 MW in the near future.

Mohammed Mohaisen, President and CEO of GE Power’s Grid Solutions business in the Middle East, North Africa and Turkey said: “The Gabal El Zayt wind farm is considered one of the largest across the region, underscoring the significance of this project to both EETC and GE. As the wind farm expands, our work with EETC to apply further extensions continues while ensuring minimal loss of transferred power. We remain committed to bringing our advanced technologies to Egypt to improve the efficiency of the electricity sector.”

The current agreement reflects GE’s long-standing role in upgrading and providing Egypt’s energy sector with the latest solutions to meet increasing generation and transmission demands. Today, GE has installed more than 150 gas and steam turbines countrywide, helping to generate more than 15.5 gigawatts (GW) of electricity, enough to power more than 15 million homes across Egypt.