The first phase of a megaproject in Egypt has been inaugurated by German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi.

According to Siemens, each of the three power plants, located at Beni Suef, New Capital and Burullus, is set to become the biggest gas-fired combined cycle power station in the world.

Together, they will have a capacity of 14.4GW, boosting Egypt’s power generation capacity by 45%.

Siemens, along with two local partners, claims to have broken all records in modern power plant construction by connecting the first 5.8GW of new capacity to the grid “only 18 months after the signing of the contract”.

The plants will supply enough electricity for 45 million people and contribute towards the nation’s goal of achieving $1.3 billion (£1.06bn) in fuel savings every year.

Last month Siemens completed its full load engine tests for the world’s first 3D-printed gas turbine blades in the UK.