Egypt inaugurated a new $500 million solar power plant in Aswan on Saturday, a significant step in its efforts to increase renewable energy production and alleviate recurring power outages, Prime Minister Moustafa Madbouly announced.
The Abydos Solar PV Plant, built by the Emirati company AMEA Power in 18 months, boasts a 500-megawatt capacity and is projected to generate 1,500 gigawatt-hours of clean energy annually – enough to power approximately 300,000 homes and offset 782,300 tonnes of CO2 emissions.
Madbouly highlighted the plant's importance in Egypt's national strategy to reduce dependence on traditional energy sources and mitigate the frequent power cuts experienced last summer due to soaring temperatures and high electricity demand.
The plant's location in Aswan, known for its high solar irradiance, complements the existing Benban Solar Park, one of Africa and the Middle East's largest solar installations.
The Egyptian government also signed an agreement with AMEA Power for a new $600 million, 500-megawatt wind power project in Ras Shukeir. The government aims to increase the share of renewable energy in its energy mix to 42% by 2030, up from the current 11.5%.