Catalyzing Egypt’s Energy Transition Through Strategic Solar Deployment

Egypt’s Renewable Energy Strategy

Egypt, the third most populous country in Africa, is home to Cairo, the largest city in both Africa and the Arab World. As a nation with significant energy demands, reliable power supply is critical to sustaining its growth and meeting the needs of its people. Frequent power cuts, particularly during summer months when temperatures exceed 40 degrees Celsius, and the costly reliance on LNG imports underscore the urgency of reducing Egypt’s dependency on fossil fuels.

To tackle these issues and transition toward a more sustainable energy future, the Egyptian New and Renewable Energy Authority (NREA) launched an ambitious renewable energy strategy. The goal is to generate 42% of the nation’s electricity from renewable sources by 2035.

Our project within Benban Solar Park directly aligns with Egypt’s national strategy, providing clean and reliable energy to maintain a sustainable electricity mix.

Overview

Located in Egypt’s Aswan Governorate, approximately 650km south of Cairo, Benban Solar Park is a groundbreaking achievement in renewable energy and a symbol of Africa’s green transition. Spanning 37 square kilometers along the “desert road” linking Aswan to Cairo, Benban stands as the largest solar project in Africa and one of the largest globally, with a total installed capacity of 1.8GW.

Since its launch in 2018, Benban generates enough electricity to power millions of homes while reducing carbon emissions by approximately two million tons annually. Located in one of the world’s sunniest regions, the park leverages Egypt’s exceptional solar potential to deliver clean and reliable energy at scale.

As part of this historic development, our fund proudly contributed 200MW to Benban Solar Park in partnership with Acciona Energia, a leader in renewable energy infrastructure.  Our project consists in three solar plants generating together 456GWh annually and providing clean energy to 150,000 Egyptian homes.

Quick Facts

Project Information

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Environmental Impact

By generating 456GWh of renewable energy annually, our project powers 150,000 Egyptian homes and avoids 297,000 tons of CO₂ emissions every year. Through efficient waste management systems, we prioritize resource conservation in the management of our solar plants in alignment with global best practices.

Social Empowerment

Our project created over 500 jobs during its construction phase and continues to foster local employment and skill transfer. Our solar plants foster a thriving community of researchers, engineers, electricians, and students in the region, while adhering to IFC Standards and guidelines from other multilateral development banks. As an active member of the Benban Solar Developers Association (BSDA), SIC has helped implement impactful initiatives such as literacy classes, scholarships, rooftop farming training, and MSME entrepreneurship workshops, empowering local communities.

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Aligned with Global Goals