Egypt, Japan Sign Project to Upgrade Distribution Management

NOKE Masaki, Ambassador of Japan to Egypt, attended on Monday the Signing Ceremony for “Upgrading Distribution Management System and Introducing of Advanced Meter Infrastructure in North Cairo Electricity Distribution Company.”

The ceremony was also attended by H.E. Dr. Mohamed Hamed Shaker, Minister of Electricity and Renewable Energy, Eng. Gaber El Desouki, Chairman of the Egyptian Electricity Holding Company (EEHC), Eng. Hossam Afify, Chairman of the North Cairo Electricity Distribution Company (NCEDC), Mr. Medhat Maher Mahmod Shehaata, General Manager of Elsewedy Electric T&D, Mr. OMURA Yoshifumi, Chief Representative of JICA Egypt Office, Mr. NAMIKAWA Hiroki, General Manager of Energy Infrastructure Project Department, Toyota Tsusho Corporation, Mr. KOYAMA Tokuji, General Manager of Toyota Tsusho Cairo Liaison Representative.

Reinforcing and improving the power sector is vitally important for the better quality of life in Egypt with its fast-growing economy and population. To achieve this objective, in addition to the power generation and transmission, the power distribution needs improvement.

The Japanese Government answered positively to the Egyptian request, by agreeing in 2016 to provide with a loan of 25 billion Japanese yen, equivalent to 240 million US dollars, to improve the electricity distribution system in Alexandria, North Cairo, and North Delta.

Out of this loan, the North Cairo part, representing about 96 million US dollars, is signed today between the Egyptian Electricity Holding Company (EEHC),Toyota Tsusho Corporation and Elswedy Electric T&D. This project will improve the efficiency of the power distribution by upgrading the infrastructure management system and introducing an advanced meter infrastructure. Blackout will be reduced down to one fifth (1/5), collection of electricity charge will be more efficient, and electricity theft will be prevented. The reduction of distribution losses is also climate-friendly.

Ambassador Noke hailed the Egypt-Japan partnership in this project, referring to Toyota Tsusho, a long-standing friend of Egypt, as a prime contractor, and Hitachi ABB as a manufacturer of the power distribution system. He also stated that, “Japan has long been supporting the pivotal sector for development in Egypt which is power and energy, with the commitment of 2.1 billion US dollars until now. Recent achievements include the construction of Gulf Al Zayt Wind Power Plant along the coast of the Red Sea and the North Cairo Power Plant. “

He promised to continue working closely “for the purpose of improving the people’s lives through projects in power and energy sector, including renewable energy for inclusive and sustainable development.”

Dr. Mohamed Hamed Shaker, Minister of Electricity and Renewable Energy, expressed his appreciation for Japan’s long-term support for the electricity and energy sector of Egypt, expressing his desire for further enhancing bilateral cooperation between Egypt and Japan.