Egypt

World Bank Group member the IFC has signed an agreement to implement tendered projects with the Egyptian Electricity Transmission Company. The tender for the solar complex was launched at the end of 2017.

In its report, Renewable Energy Outlook: Egypt, the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) envisages a scenario in which solar becomes the second largest energy source in the country, after gas. If current plans and RE strategies are maintained, however, just 9 GW will be installed by 2030, compared 44 GW. The agency recommends a series of actions to achieve a 2030 renewable energy target of 52%.

The realization of Egypt’s 1.8 GW Benban solar complex has posed a long series of challenges to its numerous developers. The creation of the Benban Solar Developers Association (BSDA) has helped move the project forward amid initial grid constraints and several logistical issues, among others. Although only one of the 33 projects has now reached completion, all are set to be grid-connected by June 2019 – the final deadline set by the Egyptian government, according to Assem Korayem, a member of the BSDA and the operating general manager at Access-Power Egypt. In a conversation with pv magazine, he provides an extensive update on the current status of the huge PV complex.

The Egyptian Electricity Transmission Company (EETC) has informed all participants of a tender for the deployment of 600 MW of PV capacity in the West of Nile Area that it won’t accept bids exceeding US$0.025/kWh. In its tender for the 200 MW Kom Ombo solar project, the lowest bid, submitted by Saudi energy company ACWA, was $0.02752.

As pv magazine has learnt, the Saudi energy giant lowered its offer to $0.02752/kWh at the last minute, beating the bid lodged by Spain’s Fotowatio, which offered $0.02791 per kWh.

The lowest bid was submitted by Spanish developer Fotowatio, which offered US$0.02791 per kWh. Slightly higher, at $0.02799 per kWh, was the offer of Saudi power company, ACWA.

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), which is now assisting the Egyptian Electricity Transmission Company (EETC) for the tendering of two solar PV projects, is seeking consultants to help the country’s transition from FITs to auctions.

The Spanish renewable energy company is building three solar facilities at the Benban complex in partnership with Saudi company, Swicorp. The installations will rely on solar modules provided by Chinese manufacturer, Astronergy and trackers from the Spanish provider, STI Norland.

The projects were awarded to the German EPC under the second round of the Egyptian FIT program, and are located in Benban in the country’s Aswan Governate.

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development drastically increased its climate financing last year, with the €4.1 billion invested in the green economy representing 43% of the bank’s entire activity last year.