Republic of Tunisia

Sousse Power Generating Station (Second Expansion)
Loan No: 553 Interest Rate: 3.0 %
Beneficiary: Société Tunisienne de L'Electricité et du Gaz Grace Period: 4 years
Project Cost: KD 122.7 million Maturity: 22 years
Amount of Loan: KD 37.0 million Repayment: 37 semi-annual installments
Date of Board Approval: - First Installment: 4 years following the first disbursement
Date of Loan Agreement: 2010-07-20 Date of Loan Effectiveness: -

Objectives:

The project aims at satisfying the increasing demand for electric power and energy in Tunisia, by increasing the installed generation capacity in central Tunisia by about 400 MW. This will be achieved through adding a new single-shaft combined cycle generating module to the existing power station at Sousse.

Description:

The project, which is expected to be completed by the end of the first quarter of 2013, will increase the electric power generating capacity in central Tunisia by about 400 MW, by expanding the existing plant in Sousse, through the addition of one single-shaft combined cycle module. The Sousse power generating plant was built in 1975 on the eastern shore, 6 km south of the city of Sousse, on a total site area of about 380 thousand m2. In 1995, the plant underwent its first expansion, by the addition of one combined cycle module. The project represents the second expansion of the Sousse plant. It will consist of the supply and installation of a combined cycle module and its accessories. It will also include necessary equipment to connect the new module to the power grid, and technical services. The project consists of the following components:

  1. Generating Unit Equipment and Installations: This includes design, supply and installation of a single-shaft combined cycle module with a capacity of about 400 MW, consisting of a combustion turbine, a heat recovery steam generator, a steam turbine and an electric generator. It also includes a fuel and circulating water system, protection and control systems, transformers and pumps, in addition to all civil, electrical and mechanical works, along with the supply of spare parts.
  2. Grid Interconnection Equipment: This includes design, supply and installation of interconnection equipment to connect the generation module to the 225 kV power transmission grid.
  3. Technical Services: This includes technical services needed for designing and carrying out the project, participating in witness testing of equipment in the factories, in addition to supervision of project execution and quality control.

Financing:

The Arab Fund’s loan covers about 30.0% of the total project cost. The European Investment Bank will provide a loan covering about 50.0% of the total cost of the project. The beneficiary and the Tunisian Government will cover the remaining cost of the project and any additional cost that may arise.