MHI has received an order for two units of M701F Gas Turbines from Cairo Electricity Production Company (CEPC) of Egypt. The contract was signed between CEPC and the Consortium of MHI and Tomen Corporation on March 16, 2002, with the attendance of the Minister of Electricity and Energy of Egypt. The two units of M701F Gas Turbines will be installed at the 750MW Cairo North Combined Cycle Power Plant to be constructed by CEPC, which is a company fully owned by the Egyptian Electricity Holding Company (EEHC). MHI will supply, erect and commission the two M701F Gas Turbines on a turnkey basis within 27 months from the signing of the contract. The project is being financed by the Arab Fund for Economic and Social Development (Arab Fund) and European Investment Bank (EIB). This project, being the first gas turbine combined cycle power plant using the advanced "F" class machines in Egypt, attracted the attention of major international gas turbine manufacturers. The tender was officially closed in October last year. Thereafter, MHI was awarded the contract due to the advantages of the M701F Gas Turbine, which has established higher output, better efficiency and reliable operation in other sites around the world. This is the first major order for MHI Power Systems since a 300MW boiler was supplied and erected at Assiut Power Station for the then Egyptian Electricity Authority (EEA) in 1992. Egypt is a country rich in natural gas resources, and gas development, including those for export purposes, is progressing ahead. In the power generation master plan, it is expected that more gas turbine combined cycle power plants will be built in the near future to meet the growing demand for power. Taking advantage of this first order for a series of similar projects to come, MHI will actively pursue expanding its fleet in the Middle East and North African countries in addition to Egypt. |
