The Egyptian Electricity Utility and Consumer Protection Regulatory Authority (EEUCPRA) granted 56 new and renewable energy temporary licenses to set up solar and power plants under the feed-in tariff system, Daily News Egypt informed. The total capacity targeted stands at 4,300 MW, including 2,300 MW of solar power plants, and 2,000 MW of wind projects.

According to EEUCPRA, all applicants were granted approvals as they met all conditions and controls, among them Cairo Solar, Orascom, Lekela Power, Phoenix, Nubian Energy, and Enel Energy. These companies have paid EGP 25,000 to EEUCPRA in fees for their application and EGP 10,000 after receiving approvals. They are still expected to sign contracts of land allocation with the New and Renewable Energy Authority (NREA) and electricity purchase agreements to obtain permanent licenses. The companies will conduct studies on linking their stations to the national electricity grid and on environmental impact.

Ministry of Electricity and Renewable Energy aims to boost renewable energy to 20% of total produced energy by 2020. The private sector is estimated to account for 67% of the solar and wind plants projects.