First batch of 600 Egyptian trainees return from Germany, commence work at mega power plants

The power plants will initially be operated in so-called simple cycle mode. By subsequently adding heat exchangers and steam turbines they will be expanded into combined cycle mode, reaching a total installed capacity of 4.8 gigawatt (GW) each. Once the open-cycle commissioning interval is completed, the trainees will receive another one-month vocational training on the combined cycle technology and steam turbines. Once completed, the three power plants will have a total capacity of 14.4 GW.

“Witnessing the initial commissioning of the three power plants marks a special milestone for our students who have just completed a rigorous course of training on the most advanced technologies in power generation.” said Ahmed El Saadany, Learning Manager at Siemens Egypt. “After having posted the job offers in newspapers more than 20,000 people applied. Out of this vast pool, we had to pick just 600. These youth have shown tremendous commitment and determination, and we look forward to their contribution to the local energy sector.”

As the trainees concluded their first stage of training, they take away valuable insights on the technologies, processes and challenges involved in operating large power facilities. With the aid of the power plant simulator, practical experiments were conducted, in Egypt and Germany, to help students put themselves into the position of a real operator. In addition, the training encompassed component-specific parts, and field visits coupled with modules tackling psychological and communication aspects. Language, management, leadership and supervisory competences were also integral part of the program.

Osama Mohamed Mahfouz, one of Egyptian Electricity Holding Company’s (EEHC) trainees, described the training as a “great opportunity to get a real-life experience” in the power plants. As part of the training, the Egyptian learners visited Siemens Gas Turbine Training Center in Germany and obtained firsthand insights on turbines. “Throughout the program, we were frequently engaged in project-oriented training in which we had the chance to communicate with one another, take decisions, troubleshoot, plan and budget our activities and present the results to our instructor,” he said.

Siemens is involved in the training of 600 Egyptian engineers and technicians – in collaboration with the Egyptian Ministry of Electricity and Renewable Energy. As one of the leading providers of engineering training globally, the current program was part of Siemens commitment to developing the technical skills necessary for Egypt’s sustainable energy future.

Siemens AG (Berlin and Munich) is a global technology powerhouse that has stood for engineering excellence, innovation, quality, reliability and internationality for more than 165 years. The company is active in more than200 countries, focusing on the areas of electrification, automation and digitalization. One of the world’s largest producers of energy-efficient, resource-saving technologies, Siemens is No. 1 in offshore wind turbine construction, a leading supplier of gas and steam turbines for power generation, a major provider of power transmission solutions and a pioneer in infrastructure solutions as well as automation, drive and software solutions for industry. The company is also a leading provider of medical imaging equipment – such as computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging systems – and a leader in laboratory diagnostics as well as clinical IT. In fiscal 2015, which ended on September 30, 2015, Siemens generated revenue of €75.6 billion and net income of €7.4 billion. At the end of September 2015, the company had around 348,000 employees worldwide. Further information is available on the Internet at www.siemens.com.