The first state-backed large-scale solar station has started operation in Kom Ombo near Aswan. The 26MW capacity station was set up in cooperation with Spain, with investments amounting to EGP 400m, and will produce energy sold at 3.2 piasters per kw/h.
All energy produced by the station will be channelled into the national grid, as part of state plans to bring the contribution of renewable energy to 20% of the country’s total energy production. The projection is to raise this figure of renewable energy contributions to the national grid to 50% in the next 10 years.
Mohamed Al-Khayyat, Chairperson of the New and Renewable Energy Authority (NREA), said that work is underway on all projects implemented by the state with input from foreign experts. He noted that only the projects that have yet to be launched have been affected due to travel disruption between countries.
Al-Khayyat said that the Kom Ombo plant was implemented on an area of about 500,000 sqm, and is expected to produce 53GW/year. It is expected to save about 12,000 tonnes of equivalent oil, whilst also reducing emissions of about 30,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide.
He added that the project comes as part of the existing cooperation between Egypt and France, with a €40m soft loan from the French Development Agency. Surplus from the loan would be used to finance other renewable energy projects.
He noted that work is underway to establish the first solar plant for electricity production in the Zafarana region, with a capacity of 50MW and investments amounting to more than €75m.
