Germany’s Siemens has completed the fast-track supply and delivery of four turbines for the project to upgrade Egypt’s Attaka power plant, near Suez City.

The turbines are being installed in collaboration with the local Elswedey Power System Projects. The first turbine has entered commercial operation after a construction period of five months.

Operated by East Delta Electricity Production Company (EDEPC), the upgraded Attaka Power Plant has an installed generating capacity of 640MW, and was a key part of the Electricity & Energy Ministry’s fast-track programme to expand capacity.

In total, the $2.5bn fast-track programme will add 3.7GW to Egypt’s grid capacity by the end of the third quarter. In addition to Siemens contract, Italy’s Ansaldo and US’ GE are also supplying and installing turbines under the programme.

The first contracts were awarded in December 2014.