Egypt has launched its first photovoltaic energy connection project. Dubbed Grid-connected Photovoltaic Power Systems – Egypt PV, the project is executed by the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and the Industrial Modernization Center (IMC), Amwal Al Ghad reports.

The project comes as a part of Egypt’s vision to generate 20% of the country’s power from renewable energy, IMC Executive Director, Ahmed Taha, said, according to Al Ahram Newspaper.

The project was launched during a conference attended by Taha, along with First Undersecretary of the Ministry of Electricity, Mohamed Omran; Director of Energy and Environment Programs at UNDP, Mohammed Bayoumi; Chairman of the New and Renewable Energy Authority (NREA), Mohamed Al Khayat; and  the Head of the Egyptian Engineers Syndicate, Tarek Al Nabawai. Other attendants include representatives from the Ministry of Electricity, the Ministry of Housing, the Ministry of Investments, the Ministry of Tourism, the Ministry of Environment, and the Ministry of Trade.

The new connection project aims at installing small photovoltaic cells, particularly the non-central generation plants, on the roofs of public institutions, housing units, tourist organizations, and small and medium factories. The project also target building a technical support center, Taha explained.