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egypt

Gamesa Awarded 400 Megawatt Solar Project In Egypt

by Joshua S Hill November 29, 2018

Gamesa Electric, a subsidiary of Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy, announced this week that it has been awarded a contract to supply six solar projects to be developed in Egypt worth a total of 400 megawatts (MW).

The Spanish-based solar manufacturer announced on Wednesday that it had been awarded a contract by Norwegian solar developer Scatec Solar to provide 66 of its 5MVA PV Solar Power Stations for six separate projects located the Aswan region in Egypt.

The six projects will supply a total of 400 MW as part of a large-scale Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) signed between Scatec Solar and the Egyptian government. The projects are part of Egypt’s renewable energy Feed-in Tariff program that aims to deliver total solar capacity in the country between 2.3 gigawatts (GW) — 2 GW of which will be centralized solar PV projects.

Gamesa Electric will supply 66 of its Solar Power Stations for a total of 132 high-efficiency Gamesa E-2.5 MVA-SB-I PV Inverters at 1500Vdc. In addition, each Solar Power Station will include an integrated step-up transformer and a medium voltage protection switchgear, and Gamesa will also supply a Power Plant Controller to coordinate the response of the PV inverters.

Normally thought of in terms of its parent company, Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy, one of the world’s leading wind turbine manufacturers, Gamesa Electric is the solar arm of a company which has been looking to branch out into solar for the last year or so.

November 29, 2018 0 comment

Scatec Solar Signs Up For 250 MW Of Egyptian Solar

by Jake Richardson October 29, 2015

written by Jake Richardson

Scatec Solar, a Norwegian solar power developer, has signed agreements for five solar projects totaling 250 MW in Egypt. The projects will be covered by Egypt’s solar FiT program.

“Our international experience has taught us the importance of detailed pre-planning for execution of projects so that we can quickly deliver much-needed electricity, once the authorities have issued all the agreements and permits,” explained Raymond Carlsen, chief executive of Scatec Solar.

Some preparatory work like land and geotechnical studies has already been completed. Potential impacts on social life and the environment are under way.

Egypt wants to add about 6 GW of solar over the next seven years, and 2 GW of that could be installed in the next two years. We just reported about 300 MW of PV solar development taking place in Egypt, courtesy of Sterling and Wilson.

550 MW is a lot of solar development — especially in a short period of time — but Egypt has bigger plans. It would be fascinating to find out if the Egypt FiT program has been influenced in any way by how Germany’s has played out. Germany has clearly been a world leader in both wind and solar power and something of an example to the world of a country that historically has been too reliant on nuclear power and coal which also has been aggressively developing more clean energy sources.

Scatec Solar was just given an award for helping bring clean energy to more people, “Scatec Solar shows that the green shift is all about expertise and technology, but not least that wonderful solutions are worth little if they cannot find their place and be used. The Climate Award makes me a great optimist on behalf of Norway in the green race,” explained Kristin Skogen Lund, CEO of the NHO.

Scatec also has done solar work in the Czech Republic, Rwanda, South Africa and the United States.

Image Credit: Luc Legay, Wiki Commons

October 29, 2015 0 comment

300 MW Solar PV For Egypt From Sterling And Wilson

by Jake Richardson October 14, 2015

written by Jake Richardson

Funded by the Egyptian feed-in-tariff, 300 MW of solar PV projects will be constructed in Egypt by Sterling and Wilson, a global solar company. The first project will be a 50 MW plant built in the next ten months, with the others to follow.

“It gives us immense pleasure to be able to execute solar projects across the globe within tight timeframes and costs which are key indicators of our project execution capabilities. We are confident of reaching our target in Egypt and are delighted that we are engaged with Qualified Companies, many of whom we are already working with in South Africa, Jordan, UAE, India, South East Asia, & Latin America,” said Bikesh Ogra, President, Electrical & Solar Business of Sterling and Wilson.

Currently, Egypt relies mostly on natural gas to generate its electricity and oil for transportation. This dependence is related on the fact that the nation also produces both of those fossil fuels in great amounts. According to the World Bank, about 75% of Egypt’s electricity was produced by burning natural gas in 2012.

According to a January, 2015 Cleantechnica article, about 4.3 GW of solar and wind power may be in development in Egypt.

It has been reported that Egypt wants to generate about 20% of its electricity from renewable sources by 2020, with about 12% coming from wind and the rest from solar and hydropower. In 2014, Minister of Electricity Mohamed Shaker put forth a feed-in-tariff scheme to promote the development of renewable energy in Egypt. As a result, a 4,300 MW quota for installed solar and wind was established in a first round of discussions.

The emerging energy storage industry is potentially a great boon to such endeavors because it can provide solutions for much-needed backup.

It will be fascinating to see how solar power development in some parts of the world might help stabilize national economies because electricity from solar power does not suffer from the price volatility that oil does. Solar power is also a domestic form of electricity, and not an energy form that has to be imported from other countries.

Image Credit: Luc Legay, Wiki Commons

October 14, 2015 0 comment

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SkyPower Announces 1 GW, $2.2 Billion Solar Deal With Kenya

by Joshua S Hill July 28, 2015

written by Joshua S Hill

Last Friday, North America’s SkyPower announced that it would be signing a solar deal with Kenya for a 1 gigawatt (1,000 megawatt), $2.2 billion development project.

SkyPower released a media advisory last Friday, which announced that the self-proclaimed “world’s largest developer and owner of utility-scale PV energy projects” was expecting to sign a “landmark agreement” with the Kenyan Ministry of Energy and Petroleum, which would pave the way for the development of a series of 1 GW “world-class” solar projects in Kenya over the next five years.

The deal is expected to amount to $2.2 billion, and was to be signed in Nairobi at the Global Entrepreneurship Summit.

There had been little news after the announcement of an announcement, with no official updates from SkyPower. However, the media ran with the story over the weekend, thanks in part to US President Barack Obama’s presence at the Summit.

Yesterday, SkyPower put out a release confirming that the deal was signed, and that the project would be built in 4 phases over the coming 5 years.

“SkyPower’s US $2.2 billion investment will create more than 25,000 total job years in Kenya and includes 200 MW of fabrication and assembly facilities, as well as a commitment of US $173 million toward education, training, and research and development,” said SkyPower Executive Vice President Charles Cohen, by way of EnergyTrend.

The news comes following several similar announcements by SkyPower for development of solar projects in emerging nations. Earlier this month, SkyPower announced a 150 MW collection of solar power projects it intends to develop in India, in the central state of Madhya Pradesh. The company offered a record-low bid for the country.

Meanwhile, in March of this year, SkyPower announced another “landmark agreement,” this time with Egypt, for 3,000 MW of utility-scale solar PV projects to be built over the next 4 years.

“The monumental US $2.2 billion agreement was signed in Nairobi, Kenya at the sixth annual Global Entrepreneurship Summit (GES),” SkyPower writes. “GES 2015 hosted an unprecedented convention of high-level leaders from around the globe, including U.S. President Barack Obama and H.E. Uhuru Kenyatta, President of the Republic of Kenya. SkyPower proudly sponsored the summit as an official Solar Energy Partner.”

“Kenya has become an African hub for innovation and entrepreneurship, and SkyPower is proud to contribute to this unprecedented milestone in Kenya’s ambitious renewable energy plan,” said SkyPower President and Chief Executive Officer Kerry Adler. “SkyPower’s solar projects will help Kenya realize its electrification goals, support the development of the country’s renewable energy industry and help the development of strong communities, generating a brighter future for all.”

July 28, 2015 0 comment

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IRENA 5-Year 100% Clean Power Plan for Djibouti

by Aisha Abdelhamid May 28, 2015

written by Aisha Abdelhamid

Originally published on EdenKeeper.org

A new IRENA report provides a 5-year plan for using Djibouti’s abundant renewable energy sources to solve the nation’s serious concerns regarding rising energy demand, limited energy security, and rampant unemployment. Astonishingly, IRENA claims that by 2020, 100% of Djibouti’s energy demand can be met through renewables. The economic renaissance that could occur with a transition to renewable energy sources would be a significant improvement for the entire country, but can it happen within five years?

IRENA 5-Year 100% Clean Power Plan For "The Land of God"

Beautiful coastline of Djibouti. Pixabay

May 28, 2015 0 comment

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Egypt Hosts MESIA Renewable Energy Trade Mission

by Aisha Abdelhamid May 5, 2015

written by Aisha Abdelhamid

Organized by the Middle East Solar Industry Association in partnership with the Ministry of Electricity and Renewable Energy, a two-day renewable energy forum was recently hosted in Cairo, Egypt. Bringing together over 150 government policymakers, investors, and project developers, progress and developments in Egypt’s solar and wind market were presented, and many fruitful roundtable discussions and deal-signing sessions took place.

Held at the historic Marriott Palace Hotel under the patronage of Egyptian Prime Minister Ibrahim Mehleb, other top officials in attendance included Mohamed Shaker, Minister of Electricity and Renewable Energy; Mr. Hassan Fahmi, Chairman, Egyptian General Authority for Investment (GAFI); and Dr. Mohamed El Sobki, Executive Chairman of the New and Renewable Energy Authority (NREA).

May 5, 2015 0 comment

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Following Big Solar Development Plans in Egypt

by Aisha Abdelhamid April 23, 2015

written by Aisha Abdelhamid

(Originally published on Planetsave.com)

With major solar development and deployment getting underway in the country, Egypt is ramping up to full-speed-ahead. The swell of international finance, development, and construction firms inundating the nation is riding on a high tide of good will and warm welcome. One such international firm enjoying the warm welcome is FAS Energy, the renewable energy arm of Saudi mega-conglomerate Fawaz Alhokair Group.

Successfully negotiating solar utility-scale PV projects at Egypt’s premier Economic Development Conference last March 13-15, FAS Energy is ramping up to full-speed-ahead, as well. With the FAS Energy solar development deals in place, Fawaz Alhokair Group plans to invest $3.5 billion to develop 2 GW of solar power capacity across the country.

April 23, 2015 0 comment

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SkyPower IGD Sign Deal For 3GW in Egypt

by Aisha Abdelhamid April 10, 2015

written by Aisha Abdelhamid

Representing an unprecedented milestone in Egypt’s strategic plan to develop a sustainable renewable energy industry, SkyPower Global and International Gulf Development (IGD) have signed a historic agreement with the Government of Egypt. The deal for the development of 3,000 megawatts (MW) of utility-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) projects is to be built over the next four years. Resulting in the production of clean, sustainable and cost-effective energy to support Egypt’s growing energy needs, the 3,000 MW project is also creating thousands of new green energy jobs and attracting billions in capital investment.

Finalizing the deal with the Egyptian government at Egypt’s premier Economic Development Conference (EEDC), SkyPower participated in a signing ceremony in partnership with IGD. Many key infrastructure projects were unveiled for Egypt’s glowing economic future during this important signing ceremony.

“The availability of energy and managing the demand for it is one of the main priorities on the Egyptian development agenda,” said President of Egypt, Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi, during the EEDC.

SkyPower Global

SkyPower, IGD, and Egypt

SkyPower President and Chief Executive Officer Kerry Adler applauded Egypt’s ambition, announcing SkyPower’s support for the country’s economic vision. “SkyPower commends the leadership of Egypt for swiftly executing its well designed strategic blueprint to ensure a bright and prosperous future for all Egyptians, for generations to come,” said Mr. Adler. “The signing of this monumental agreement demonstrates the shared passionate aspirations of global partnerships that will substantially impact the country’s GDP, contributing approximately US$16.1 billion, resulting in increased opportunities for employment, skills training, youth and education.”

Bringing together extensive international expertise, SkyPower and Middle Eastern infrastructure specialists IGD will work closely with the Ministry of Electricity and Renewable Energy in the development of the Egyptian solar PV energy project. Entailing a multi-phase development, SkyPower IGD’s phase one will reach commercial operation in late 2015. Supporting the growing energy needs of Egypt, the project will directly contribute to the government’s goal of producing 20% of energy from renewables by 2020.

SkyPower lists the highlights and additional advantages of the SkyPower IGD Egypt agreement as follows:

• Unprecedented milestone in Egypt’s ambitious renewable energy plan

• Agreement reached at the first ever Egypt Economic Development Conference

• Landmark agreement with Egypt for 3,000 MW of utility-scale solar PV projects

• US$5 billion of investment will create 75,000 total job years

• 600 MW of fabrication and assembly facilities in Egypt

• Commitment of US$173 million for education, training and research and development

Egypt is “Open for Business”

Ministers of the Egyptian government expressed their support and enthusiasm for the many new solar projects and the significant investment this is bringing. “Foreign investment in Egypt helps build the economy and strengthen international ties with well-respected and viable partners such as SkyPower IGD,” said Mohamed Shaker, Minister of Electricity and Renewable Energy. “Egypt is pleased,” added Ashraf Salman, Minister of Investment. “It represents a continued effort to provide even more clean and renewable energy that can be sustained for decades to come.”

Also present at the historic signing ceremony was Troy Lulashnyk, the Canadian Ambassador to Egypt. Ambassador Lulashnyk said the agreement “marks a significant milestone” for international businesses, sending a “clear signal…that they can work in Egypt with confidence, and to Egyptians that their country is open for business.”

SkyPower: “Over 800 Years of Combined Experience”

Worldwide, the experienced and accomplished SkyPower team has built, assembled, and acquired an extensive pipeline of over 25,000 MW of solar projects. With roots extending back more than a decade, SkyPower is the largest and one of the most successful developers and owners of solar energy projects in the world. As SkyPower states, it has “over 800 years of combined experience in power and large infrastructure projects.”

In the past few years, SkyPower has secured over two dozen utility-scale solar PV and wind Power Purchase Agreements (PPA) and contracts representing an estimated total of over US$70 billion in long-term renewable energy sales to leading utilities and governments around the world. Recently announced in a bilateral agreement, 3,000 MW of utility-scale solar PV projects are to be built by SkyPower and FAS Energy in Nigeria over the next five years.

Toronto, Canada-based SkyPower is majority owned by CIM, a transformational urban real estate and infrastructure investment firm founded in 1994 with approximately US$18.7 billion in assets under management. Over the past decade, the SkyPower team has established long-term strategic partnerships with local, in-country developers. Through its dedicated team members, composed of employees, consultants, and advisors working out of 35 international offices, SkyPower develops, finances, owns, and operates solar energy projects from the initial stages through commercial operation in more than 60 countries around the world.

Utility-scale solar energy generation from wikimedia commons

April 10, 2015 0 comment

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Solar Industry at Forefront of Egypt’s Economic Renaissance

by Aisha Abdelhamid April 1, 2015

written by Aisha Abdelhamid

(Originally published on InspiredEconomist.com)

Capturing the headlines of the solar industry in the last several weeks, Egypt is attracting the attention of major international solar developers and investors. Following the recent Economic Development Conference held in March, many headlines have further underscored the reality of Egypt’s economic renaissance.

Coupling this economic renaissance with the rise of Egypt’s New and Renewable Energy Authority (NREA), the country is attracting record levels of foreign investment. Involving significant numbers in both clean energy GW and billions USD, the world is taking a strong interest in the historic transactions.

Egypt's President Al-Sisi at EEDC. From wikimedia commons.

Egypt’s Blossoming Economic Renaissance

“We aim at transforming Egypt into a pivotal centre for commerce and circulation of energy,” said Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah Al-Sisi, speaking in January at the 2015 World Future Energy Summit (WEFS) in Abu Dhabi. Continuing, Al-Sisi explained that Egypt’s transformation would happen by “making use of its geographical location between the biggest producers and consumers of energy, with the presence of infrastructure, especially the Suez Canal, the most important waterway, with its new extension.”

Less than two months later, President Al-Sisi is reaping the benefits of restored stability and confidence in Egypt’s position on the international playing field of major world economies. Recently concluding its first-ever Economic Development Conference held in Egypt’s Sharm el Sheikh resort on the Sinai Peninsula, the three-day international event generated a monumental wave of support from foreign delegates and dignitaries. Over 2,000 delegates were in attendance, representing over 112 countries.

Minister of Investment Ashraf Salman announced a collective value of USD 38.2 billion in signed agreements and investments on the Economic Summit’s third day. Prime Minister Ibrahim Mahlab reported that at least USD 18.6 billion of the agreements are going towards engineering, procurement, and construction projects. The final day of Egypt’s historic economic conference was especially auspicious for the solar industry, as many agreements were signed with the NREA for constructing solar power plants with a combined total of over 6GW.

Over USD 92 Billion in Signed MOUs

Minister Salman added at the conclusion of the Economic Summit that the total value of signed Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) is USD 92 billion. The following breakdown of just a few important investments and agreements provide a clear testimony to Egypt’s blossoming economic revival:

• Gulf countries alone pledged USD 12.5 billion in financial aid and investments during the conference.

• The European Investment Bank has planned USD 2.1 billion (2 billion euros) of investments in Egypt.

• The World Bank allocated USD 5 billion for its Egypt program of job creation and social services for the next four years, resulting in more than doubling its annual portfolio to USD 1.2 billion.

• The Islamic Development Bank (IDB) signed six MOUs worth USD 3.875 billion.

• Oil, gas, and mining sector MOUs are valued at a total of USD 23.5 billion.

• Electricity and power MOUs worth around USD 22 billion were signed by Egypt’s Electricity Minister.

• Food, Housing, Transportation and Logistics projects also brought in substantial numbers in billions USD.

Egypt’s Solar Industry Association Offers Timely Market Report

Now that the dust has settled in Sharm el Sheikh, Egypt’s Solar Industry Association has stepped up to provide timely information for incoming solar developers to help facilitate partnerships with local solar industry firms. Egypt’s Solar Energy Market – FiT Program and Beyond 2015 is the title of a new report just released by Egypt SIA.

The new market report by Egypt Solar Industry Association offers detailed information on current developments in Egypt’s solar market. Also provided in the report, according to Egypt SIA, are “in-depth perspectives from some of the key stakeholders, including regulators, laws firms, developers and EPC contractors who are active in the emerging Egyptian solar energy market.”

Questions addressed in Egypt Solar Industry Association’s new report include:

• Which banks are expected to provide financing?

• How easy will it be for international solar energy developers to set up special purpose vehicles in Egypt and secure land plots for their projects?

• Which PV system components will be locally sourced and which parts are likely to be exports in the first round of power plants?

Additionally, the Egypt Solar Industry Association report “offers a unique outlook on solar developments beyond the feed-in-tariff scheme; tracking opportunities in various industries and governorates across Egypt.” A lengthy list is also included in the report, providing contacts for local solar energy companies, together with a helpful description of each firm’s activities.

Access the new Egypt SIA report: Egypt’s Solar Energy Market – FiT Program and Beyond 2015

Egypt Solar Industry companies - a google logo search collage screenshot

April 1, 2015 0 comment

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UN Boosts Local Solar Manufacturing in Egypt

by Aisha Abdelhamid March 25, 2015

written by Aisha Abdelhamid

In a welcome bid to promote solar energy use in Egypt’s industrial sector, the UN Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) has initiated a project to boost local solar manufacturing capacity in Egypt.

Funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF), the UN-backed project will support the local manufacturing of solar energy systems and components for use in Egyptian chemical, agro-food, and textile industries. Mounir Fakhry Abdel Nour, Egypt’s Minister of Industry, Trade, and Small and Medium Size Enterprises, and UNIDO Director General LI Yong attended the official inauguration ceremony for the project.

Sugar plants in Egypt's Agro-Food Industry to receive UN-backed support for going solar. Wikimedia commons.

Egypt’s Premier Economic Development Conference

The new UNIDO project was formally launched last week in Egypt, coinciding with the nation’s first ever Economic Development Conference. A three-day event, the historic Economic Development Conference opened on March 13 in Egypt’s Red Sea resort of Sharm el Sheikh. Over 112 countries were represented at the conference, with over 2,000 delegates in attendance.

Among the many deals struck during the highly praised conference, renewable energy projects received significant attention. Included in the lion’s share of renewables investment announcements, ACWA Power International of Saudi Arabia and Masdar of UAE signed deals to construct a number of solar power plants, as well as a wind energy plant. The total production capacity is up to 4.4GW, with an investment of $2.4 billion USD.

Greening Egypt’s Economy

UNIDO Director General Li, while attending the Economic Development Conference, noted that the new UNIDO project will further contribute to the conference objectives. “Renewable energy will help Egypt on the path to inclusive and sustainable industrial development,” said Director General Li. He added that the project “will make the country’s economy greener and will meet the industrial sector’s growing energy demand.”

Minister Abdel Nour said, “The new project will be instrumental in building the capacity of the local supply chain for manufacturing solar energy in Egypt.” Furthermore, Abdel Nour pointed out that the UN-supported project is expected “to contribute to creating new jobs and support entrepreneurship in the renewable energy sector.”

UNIDO and Egypt’s Ministry of Industry, Trade, and SMEs are working closely to enhance the competitiveness and productivity of the Egyptian industry. Within the wider UNIDO-GEF energy program in Egypt, this is being accomplished by improving the energy efficiency of energy intensive sectors, such as the iron, steel, cement, and ceramics sectors. It is also making a critically needed contribution to a stable energy supply by introducing renewable energy applications, especially solar energy, in the industrial sector.

Monocrystalline solar cell. Wikimedia commons.

UN-GEF Brings International Quality Standards Compliance

Focusing on compliance with international quality standards, the UN-GEF project objectives also include promoting sustainable industrial development. Building a solar energy industry in Egypt is expected to bring in significant investments from the private sector. Worth a total of $6.5 million USD, the project anticipates generating more than $30 million USD in the renewable energy sector.

“UNIDO’s expertise and resources will surely support our efforts in promoting sustainable energy in the industrial sector,” said Minister Abdel Nour. Bringing welcome quality control to the rising solar industry in Egypt, this new UN-supported project is ideally helping to ensure that Egypt maintains its leading role in the Middle East and North Africa region.

March 25, 2015 0 comment

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