The Isolated Basins Electricity Scheme, Upper Egypt

Abstract

EGYPT has a population of about 15 millions, and for the “most part they are dependent on the land for their livelihood. The intensive development of the comparatively small area of fertile land is of great importance. Since the rainfall is almost negligible, the irrigation of the country depends on the Nile. The Delta provides part of Egypt with a complete system of natural canals, and so it is possible to irrigate this part of Egypt at any time of the year and thus two or three crops can be grown annually. Along the banks of the Nile are situated a number of fertile areas called ‘isolated basin's separated from one another by desert patches extending to the river's edge. The Nile is low for three months every year. It begins its rise of approximately 20 feet in May and from August to October all the isolated baskis are flooded. When it subsides, one crop can be raised. Further irrigation is provided by primitive native water elevators, the water being elevated from wells and discharged into channels leading to the fields. The Egyptian Government has decided on an electrification scheme which will enable the land to be irrigated and drained in an adequate way. The contract for the supply and erection of the necessary overhead transmission lines, some of which are carried by towers across the Nile, others in under water cables, has been given to the General Electric Co. by the Egyptian Government. In the G.E.C. Journal of August, a full description is given of the scheme by C. S. Ickringill and H. Peters. Power is generated at 3,300 volts, stepped up to 33,000 volts and transmitted to the pumping stations. A photo graph is shown of the two lattice towers supporting the power cables across the Nile at Idfu.