Mitsubishi Hitachi Power Systems has been awarded a contract to upgrade the Sidi Krir and El Atf power stations in Egypt that began operation in 2009 nominally rated at 750MW net plant output and 59% combined cycle efficiency.
Both stations feature 750 MW gas turbine combined cycle plants each built around two M701F gas turbine gensets, single unfired heat recovery steam generator and single-reheat condensing steam turbine generator.
MHPS will supply upgraded components for the M701F gas turbines and other generator parts. Also dispatch technical advisors to support the installation and trial operations. Upgraded facilities are scheduled to begin commercial operation in the first half of fiscal year 2021.
MHPS reports that the upgrade will increase plant power output, improve efficiency and reduce facility downtime, contributing to a more stable energy supply for the country.
Benefits of the upgrade will be determined by the extent to which new design technology developed over the last 10 years can be retrofitted to the old gas turbines.
For instance, today’s simple cycle M701F gas turbine genset is design rated at 385MW and 41.8% efficiency vs. 312MW and 39.3% for the F4 model back in the late 1990s – lots of room for improvement.
In the same combined cycle configuration, with new gas and steam turbines, today’s 2×1 M701F combined cycle plant rated at 1135MW net plant output and 62.2% efficiency.
