Where can solar power be developed in Egypt?

Utility-scale PV development has, thus far, clustered around Aswan in the south of the country, where solar resources are strongest and there is plenty of land for development. The biggest chunk of Egyptian solar capacity is provided by the Benban project, which lies 50 km from Aswan and is one of the world’s biggest PV sites.

Is Egypt a good place for solar power?

The International Energy Agency ( iea) reckons Egypt is one of the world’s best regions for solar. Some companies agree, having invested in projects such as the Benban solar park, one of the world’s largest, 650km (400 miles) south of Cairo. Egypt’s government has also tried to boost rooftop solar power by offering homeowners generous incentives.

How much does a solar project cost in Egypt?

The solar energy project was launched in 2015, in accordance with Presidential Decree No. 274/2014. 13. The investment project cost about 40 billion Egyptian pounds. 14. The project will be built on an area of 8843.3 acres on the "Aswan - Cairo" desert road in front of the village of "Benban".

Should Egypt install its own solar power?

Egypt’s government has found it hard to convince its citizens of the merits of installing their own solar power. In 2014 it introduced a “feed-in” tariff, promising to pay homeowners and companies for surplus solar power they produce. Yet eight years later only a paltry 749 rooftop solar units have been installed.

What does China's new solar project mean for Egypt?

A new agreement signed between the Chinese group and Egyptian government officials is part of the country’s Green Corridor Initiative that aims to increase the use of renewable energy. The solar project is expected to save more than $1 billion in annual natural gas costs.

Will Egypt's PV market open up soon?

Voltalia expects the Egyptian PV market to open up very soon, however, because there was power rationing for two hours per day during the winter, due to a lack of natural gas feedstock for thermal power plants and a lack of foreign currency to buy gas, the Scatec representative said.