World Bank supports new capacity in Egypt

• 11 years ago (2013-07-09)
• David Flin

Africa 320 Middle East 326 North America 1021

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The Board of Executive Directors of the World Bank have approved a $585.4 million Helwan South Power Plant project, a gas-fired power plant that will contribute 10 per cent of Egypt’s new generation capacity to be added by 2018. The project includes a 1950MW supercritical steam power plant fuelled by natural gas, along with installation of the associated gas pipelines, and upgrades to the transmission and distribution network. The World Bank said that the project is part of a programme to help Egypt address energy policy issues and meet the growing demand for electricity in a sustainable manner.

Inger Andersen, the World Bank Vice President for the Middle East and North Africa, said: “The World Bank is committed to helping Egypt rebuild public confidence in the power sector by supporting critical investments like Helwan South. This gas-fired plant will help Egypt meet its growing electricity demands and ensure access to reliable services that are critical for the country’s economic growth and job creation.”

Hartwig Schafer, the World Bank Country Director for Egypt, Yemen and Djibouti, said: “The project is designed to improve the stability of the power system and reliability of electricity supply. Helwan South will boost the use of cleaner fuel by utilising natural gas. It will displace older and less efficient generation and reduce emissions.”

Egypt has experienced an annual 6 per cent growth in demand, and there have been rolling blackouts and service interruptions of up to 14 times a month.