Designing and delivering complex power projects involves creating large amounts of data. For the Cairo-headquartered power generation company Power Generation Engineering and Services Company (PGESCo), which has delivered 70 power generation projects since its inception in 1993, managing a high number of mega projects comprising numerous interfaces and documents was a tall task, too.

PGESCo provides advanced integrated services to governmental utilities, EPC contractors, and independent and private developers in Egypt, Libya, and Iraq using state-of-the art design and execution information technology and project ecosystems. Diversified business lines and profound expertise in the energy and industrial sectors enable PGESCo to participate in a wide range of projects.

For example, a typical PGESCo project generates between 25,000 and 75,000 documents. Without careful data management, information can become outdated or lost in silos, which can result in delays or cost overruns, the leading digital engineering, procurement, construction, and project management (EPCM) company in the Middle East and Africa (MEA) realised. Therefore, the objective was to set a single point of truth and a hub to host the project information.

PGESCo embraced digital transformation to create an easy-to-use solution for its employees

PGESCo, which offers integrated innovative management solutions from business planning to operations and maintenance, therefore, decided to enhance its ability to deliver power generation projects by adopting Bentley applications.

To maintain a high level of quality and instill its clients’ confidence in its work, PGESCo implemented innovated solutions to manage a large amount of information generated and exchanged by different project stakeholders.

To streamline its workflows, PGESCo created its own technology platform in the early 2000s, now considered a benchmark in the region. The platform leverages state-of-the-art information technology and integrates project management and collaboration solutions in one ecosystem. PGESCo has built extensive customisations on top of third-party software to fit its needs and connect the dots to different commercial applications and to produce a single, comprehensive ecosystem.

Now, PGESCo’s plant Information model leverages ProjectWise to create a connected data environment that integrates 3D models. Within the platform, all engineering information is gathered, processed, and made easily available to design teams, construction teams, and project stakeholders. By sharing accurate, up-to-date data, the platform improves decision-making at every point in the development process.

Moreover, PGESCo embraced digital transformation to create an easy-to-use solution for its employees to smoothly manage projects throughout the lifecycle. Its early investment in Microsoft technology, including Modern Workplace, Azure, Information Protection, and other collaboration and communication tools, played a pivotal role in transitioning the entire company to remote working during the pandemic, the company said.

To further improve the workflow, PGESCo uses Microsoft Teams to communicate and exchange information with all project stakeholders. They also use it for meetings and to access project information, even while working remotely or on different job sites. By using Microsoft Teams, PGESCo has enhanced its digital workspace, empowering different project stakeholders to accomplish more with a new class of applications that break down barriers between business processes and collaboration.

Construction teams can now access all engineering drawings and project documents from anywhere on its preferred devices, whether in the office or at the job site. By using Bentley technology to digitalise as much of the process as possible, they have reduced the need for printed documents and drawings by 70 per cent.

“The key success factor was the collaboration and integration embedded in our digital engineering design and project execution platform,” said Dr Ahmad ElGhazouly, Information Systems and technology Manager at PGESCo. “In addition to providing a single source of truth for our information, project stakeholders can access the information when needed, anytime, anywhere using all the available technologies.”

PGESCo will always continue to shift its paradigm to a speedier and more automated backdrop to optimise, improve, and automate its business operations to streamline its business processes.

Since its formation in 1993, PGESCo has delivered 70 power generation projects with over 54 gigawatts, 100 substations with extra-high or high voltage switchyards, 26 water and wastewater treatment facilities, 12 desalination projects, solar projects totaling 10 megawatts, wind farms totaling 280 megawatts, eight offshore intake basin open sea water structures and pipes, 29 techno-economic studies for project development, and six major housing colonies.