Egypt Inaugurates Middle East’s Largest Solar Power Plants
On a momentous Saturday, Egypt marked a significant milestone in its renewable energy journey with the inauguration of the “Abydos 1” solar power plant, nestled in the arid expanse of the Kom Ombo desert, Aswan Governorate. This ambitious project is a collaborative effort with the Emirati company, Amea Power, boasting a formidable capacity of 500 megawatts and representing an investment of approximately half a billion dollars.
A statement from the Egyptian Cabinet highlighted the impressive infrastructure of the solar plant which houses 64 conversion stations, complemented by two of the largest main converters in both Africa and the Middle East. Each converter has a staggering capacity of 300 megawatts and weighs an impressive 255 tons. The station sprawls over an area of 10,000 square meters and is equipped with over one million solar cells and 1,920 sub-converters.
Amea Power’s Chairman, Hussein Al Nowais, elaborated on the project’s financial backing, citing funding from the International Finance Corporation (IFC) of the World Bank Group, the Dutch Development Bank (FMO), and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). The construction was carried out by the Chinese company, Power China. It is anticipated that the station will provide electricity to over 250,000 homes and significantly cut carbon dioxide emissions by approximately 760 tons each year.
The development of the Abydos Solar Power Station commenced in March 2023 under predominantly Egyptian management, constituting about 95% of the lead roles. The workforce was entirely Egyptian, peaking at 3,500 workers at its busiest phase. Remarkably, the project logged 4.9 million safe working hours, highlighting its commitment to safety and efficiency.
The Emirati company’s investments in Egypt have surpassed two billion dollars within the renewable energy sector. This includes ventures such as the Abydos 1 solar power station with a 300-megawatt-hour battery energy storage system, the 500-megawatt Ammonit wind farm, and the forthcoming Abydos 2 solar power station, which will possess a capacity of 1,000 megawatts accompanied by a 600 megawatt-hour system.
Additionally, Egypt has inked two agreements with Emea Power to execute a 500-megawatt wind farm in the Gulf of Suez. This $600 million venture is part of a broader strategic initiative aligned with Egypt’s ambitions to derive 42% of its energy mix from renewable sources by 2030.
The move towards renewable energy is increasingly critical, as Egypt has faced challenges with its energy supply. The past year has seen recurrent power outages beginning in July 2023, primarily due to fuel shortages required to run power stations amidst soaring temperatures, increased consumption, and a concurrent dollar shortage that has persisted for two years.
In response to these energy challenges, Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly announced a comprehensive resource plan to secure the fuel necessary for electricity grid stabilization. This initiative aims to prevent the return of planned power outages and ensure a stable energy supply going forward.
This transition to renewable energy sources not only reflects Egypt’s commitment to sustainable development but also its proactive strides towards energy security and environmental responsibility. With such large-scale projects underway, the nation is setting a robust precedent for fellow countries in the region aiming to harness the potential of renewable resources.
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