Egypt plans to connect the second phase of the Obelisk solar power project in Nagaa Hammadi to the national electricity grid within the coming weeks, adding 500 megawatts of renewable energy capacity as the country accelerates efforts to meet rising summer demand.
The announcement was made by Minister of Electricity and Renewable Energy Mahmoud Esmat during a meeting with representatives of Norwegian renewable energy developer Scatec, led by Regional Director Mohamed Amer, to review progress on the company’s renewable energy projects in Egypt.
The second phase follows the successful commissioning earlier this year of the project's first 500-megawatt solar plant and a connected battery energy storage system with a capacity of 200 megawatt-hours.
During the meeting, officials reviewed Scatec’s renewable energy portfolio in Egypt, which includes solar and wind projects with a combined capacity of 3,100 megawatts, alongside battery storage projects totaling 4,000 megawatt-hours across the governorates of the Red Sea, Qena, Minya, and Alexandria.
The discussions also focused on accelerating work on key projects, including a 900-megawatt wind farm in Ras Shukeir scheduled for grid connection in 2027 and a 1,700-megawatt solar project in Minya.
Both sides examined plans for additional connected and standalone energy storage facilities in Minya, Alexandria, and Qena as part of efforts to improve grid flexibility and increase the share of renewable energy in Egypt’s power mix.
The meeting further reviewed progress on a battery manufacturing facility being developed by Scatec, which is expected to be completed next year with total investments estimated at $1.8 billion.
Esmat stressed the importance of adhering to project timelines and accelerating implementation, highlighting the government's strategy to expand renewable energy generation, reduce dependence on conventional fuels, and strengthen the stability of the national electricity network.