ALBAWABA - In an effort to boost the production of renewable energy, Egypt unveiled a $500 million solar project in the southern city of Aswan on Saturday in partnership with the Emirati firm Amea Power, Business Egypt Today reports.
Leading the inauguration event, Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly highlighted the plant's contribution to Egypt's transition to sustainable energy, emphasizing how the initiative helps to advance environmental aims and alleviate electricity shortages.
Located in the Kom Ombo desert of Aswan, the $500 million Abydos 1 Solar Power Plant was finished in approximately 18 months and provides a 500 megawatt capacity. Encompassing 10,000 square meters, the facility has state-of-the-art infrastructure, including 64 conversion stations, 1,920 sub-transformers, and 1.2 million solar panels.
Its two main transformers, each weighing 255 tons and capable of 300 megawatts, are among the biggest in the Middle East and Africa, according to Egypt Independent. The facility is expected to cut carbon dioxide emissions by 760,000 tons per year and provide clean power to 256,000 households.
AMEA Power Chairman Hussain AlNowais described the plant's significant reliance on local expertise, noting that 100% of the employees and 95% of the administrative staff are Egyptian. At its peak, 4.9 million working hours were completed by 3,500 on-site employees.
The Abydos 1 Solar Plant complements AMEA Power's more than $2 billion in renewable energy developments in Egypt. These include the 500 megawatt Amunet Wind Farm and the soon-to-be 1,000 megawatt Abydos 2 Solar Power Plant, which will also contain a 600 megawatt-hour battery storage system, according to Business Egypt Today.
As part of its national energy policy, Egypt intends to increase the amount of renewable energy in its power mix from 11.5% in 2023 to 42% by 2030, AFP reports citing Prime Minister Madbouly.
