For the first time in the Middle East and Africa, GE has implemented an Advanced Gas Path (AGP) upgrade at one of the region’s power plants. It just completed an upgrade of two 9FA gas turbines at the Nubaria power plant in Beheira, Egypt, lowering fuel consumption by 3%.
Owned by the Middle Delta Electricity Production Co, the Nubia combined-cycle power station is driven by two GE 9FA turbines and a three-casing reaction technology steam turbine from Alstom that generate a total of 750 MW.
The partial upgrade is meant to allow the CCGT unit to operate continuously for four years without any shutdowns as it increases turbine availability by 3.7%. Moreover, the life cycle of the newly installed parts has doubled from six years to 12 years. Overall, the Nubaria plant consists of three combined-cycle power blocks in a 2+2+1 configuration.
Efforts to meet peak summer demand
Eng. Mohamed El-Abd, chairman of Middle Delta Electricity commented that the AGP upgrade “will help us increase the output of the Nubaria power plant to be able to meet peak demand as we approach the summer.”
Egypt’s electricity ministry has urged utilities to complete the maintenance and upgrade of existing power plants before the summer. The Nubaria power upgrade is seen as a commitment by the operator to “making a positive impact on the quality of life of Egyptians by helping provide a seamless supply of electricity.”
GE has active in Egypt for more than 40 years, having installed over 140 gas and steam turbines are in country that generate a combined 15.5 GW of electricity. The US manufacturer stressed it will continue to work with its partners to boost the efficiency of Egypt’s energy value chain, from discovery, generation, transmission, all the way to Egyptians at home.