Enviromena begins installation of 500 MW PV in Egypt, Jordan

Renewable energy EPC, Enviromena made an announcement touting its rapid growth as a player in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.

The EPC reported having commenced installation of a 256 MW PV project in Egypt, and a 247 MW project in Jordan. The Egyptian site is located within the boundaries of the Benban complex. Benban comprises 32 PV farms,  set to have a cumulative capacity of 1,650MW once construction of the complex is finished. Once finished, the project will significantly support Egypt's set target to integrate 20% renewables energy into its energy mix.

Aside from the project in Egypt, Environmena reports having broken ground on a 247 MW project in Al Muwaqqar, Jordan. Enviromena operates Jordan’s hitherto largest PV park – Quweira Solar Power Plant – with a capacity of 103 MW, inaugurated earlier this year.

“The region has seen tremendous growth in the solar industry as a predictable option against volatile commodity prices,” Sami Khoreibi, chief executive of Enviromena, said. “And as costs continue to decline coupled with advancements in technology, we expect an upcoming project pipeline of 900MW for Enviromena in the region.”

The company further reports to have grown recently. The company has completed 104 MW of installations this year and expects this climb to 600 MW by the end of the year. Similarly, the announcement also highlighted that Enviromena had increased its staff size by 30% since the beginning of the year.

Aside from large utility-scale projects, Enviromena says it is also active in the C&I rooftop market in MENA, showing a 6.3MW project pipeline in the UAE.

Last November, the EPC was acquired by U.K.-based independent infrastructure investment advisory company, Arjun Infrastructure Partners (AIP) for an undisclosed sum. The EPC highlighted that it intended to benefit from AIP’s strategic support and investment capital.

Earlier this year, pv magazine met with Sami Khoreibi, the company's founder and CEO, to learn more about Enviromena’s activities in the MENA region.

Asked about the ambition with which the region pursues to install large capacities of solar, he responded, “I believe the region’s solar ambitions derive from the need to diversify, as well as the cost competitiveness. It is never good to have all eggs in one basket, and with the plummeting oil prices that began in 2014, it was evident that a change needed to happen. However, the deal is made even sweeter with the price of solar PV falling thanks to more efficient technology.”