Egypt has taken a decisive step in its energy transition by inaugurating a solar power plant costing 500 million dollars in Aswan, in the south of the country, this Saturday. This initiative aims to diversify energy sources and reduce electricity shortages.
Named Abydos, this photovoltaic solar power plant was developed by the Dubai-based company AMEA Power. With a capacity of 500 megawatts, it was built in a record time of 18 months. This park is expected to produce 1,500 gigawatt-hours of clean energy per year, enough to supply approximately 300,000 households and reduce CO2 emissions by 782,300 tons per year, according to AMEA Power.
During the inauguration, Egyptian Prime Minister Moustafa Madbouly emphasized the strategic importance of this project in reducing the country’s dependence on fossil fuels. He also highlighted its role in mitigating summer electricity outages, which have become frequent due to increased energy demand during periods of high heat.
This project, financed by international institutions such as the International Finance Corporation (IFC), the Dutch Development Bank (FMO), and the Japan International Cooperation Agency, adds to existing infrastructures like the Benban solar park (1,650 megawatts), already operational in Aswan.
In parallel, another agreement was signed with AMEA Power for the development of a 500-megawatt wind farm, estimated at 600 million dollars, in the Ras Shukeir region, on the Red Sea coast.
These initiatives are part of the Egyptian government’s goal to achieve 42% renewable energy in its energy mix by 2030, up from 11.5% last year.