Power sector support

The project, which will be implemented by the Egyptian Electricity Authority (EEA), will also encourage pricing reforms in the sector. At Cairo South, the project will install a 150-MW combined cycle unit that includes gas and steam turbines, a heat recovery steam generator, and auxiliaries such as a water treatment system. A portion of this component"s funds may be transferred to assist in the development of a power station in El Kureimat. At Cairo West, the project will modernize the thermal power station"s boilers and turbine generators as well as modify the boilers to burn both natural gas and mazout oil. A computerized burner management system will be installed, portions of the boilers and steam turbines replaced, and parts of the turbine"s electrical instrumentation and controls upgraded or replaced. As a result, the plant"s output will increase from 300 to 350 MW, its fuel consumption rate will decrease from 275 to 260 grams/kWhr, and the plant capacity factor will increase from 68% to 80%. Thirdly, the project will refurbish several gas turbine generating units and relocate them to a site along the Red Sea serving the Hurgada-Safaga coastal area. The gas turbines will each produce 20 MW with a fuel consumption rate of 360 grams/kWhr. The project will expand EEA"s microwave communication system from Cairo to the Suez area. This expansion will include the towers, antenna, and radio equipment necessary for the transmission of data from six stations to the National Energy Control Center. Finally, the project will fund: spare parts and replacement equipment, training of EEA staff, and studies on electricity pricing strategy and distribution system loss reduction. Future expansion of the project will depend on sectoral reforms, especially in electricity pricing. Amendment of 8/21/90 authorizes two additional components. (1) In response to government electricity pricing reforms, the project will finance design of a 1,200 MW thermal power station at El-Kureimat in Cairo South, and procurement of equipment for the first unit (other financiers will supply construction services and the balance of equipment). If further significant policy reforms are undertaken, the project will fund the balance of consultant services for the plant and one or more equipment packages for unit 2. (2) The project will also replace the computer system at the National Energy Control Center (NECC), giving the NECC the capacity to monitor 200 generating stations and major transmission substations (vs. 60 currently). (PD-ABB-349) Amendment of 7/93 authorizes the sixth tranche of funding, financing (1) equipment and installation services for a regional control center at Cairo, which will provide immediate data on system operations, allow remote control of selected system components, and provide a communications systems for operational personnel; and (2) construction of a 220 KV transmission substation at Abu Rawash in Giza Governorate. (PD-ABH-385) Amendment of 8/9/94 increases LOP funding by $10 million to $759.9 million in order to finance technical services, equipment, and construction for the installation of the Cairo Regional Control Center (CRCC). The CRCC will collect, display, and store data regarding the operating conditions of the Cairo Electrical Network and provide for remote control of selected circuit breakers and switches in the stations. (PD-ABN-876)