Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly inaugurated Saturday the Abydos 1 Solar Power Plant in the Kom Ombo desert, Aswan. 

 

The plant, with a capacity of 500 megawatts and an investment of $500 million, is a collaboration between Egypt and the Emirati company Amea Power. 

 

Spanning 10,000 square meters, the project marks a significant milestone in Egypt’s renewable energy journey.  

 

During the inauguration, Hussain AlNowais, Chairman of Amea Power, explained that the project was financed by the International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group, the Dutch Development Bank (FMO), and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). The construction was undertaken by China’s POWERCHINA, which served as the project’s main contractor.  

 

The Abydos station features cutting-edge technology, including 1.2 million solar panels, 1,920 sub-transformers, and 64 conversion stations. 

 

It also boasts two main transformers, each with a capacity of 300 megawatts and weighing 255 tons, making them the largest of their kind in Africa and the Middle East. 

 

The station is set to provide electricity to 256,000 homes while reducing carbon dioxide emissions by 760 tons annually, significantly contributing to Egypt’s environmental goals.  

 

Construction of the plant began in March 2023, relying heavily on local expertise. 95% of the management staff and 100% of the labor force were Egyptian, with the site employing 3,500 workers at the peak of the project. The construction team achieved 4.9 million safe working hours, showcasing a strong commitment to safety and efficiency.  

 

Amea Power has invested over $2 billion in Egypt’s renewable energy sector. These investments include the Abydos 1 Solar Power Plant, equipped with a 300 MW-hour battery storage system; the Amunet Wind Farm, with a capacity of 500 MW; and the upcoming Abydos 2 Solar Power Plant, which will have a capacity of 1,000 MW and a 600 MW-hour battery storage system.  

 

This significant achievement underscores Egypt’s dedication to renewable energy and its strong partnership with the UAE in advancing sustainable development.