Italian energy company TerniaEnergia has secured an order worth approximately $9.2m for the construction of an industrial-scale solar power plant in Egypt with a total capacity of 47MW. The solar park will be constructed at a location in the Benban area of Aswan, situated roughly 900 km from Cairo, Egyptian Street reported.
The plant would help Egypt expand its energy options after suffering from severe shortages resulting in years of rolling blackouts during peak consumption hours. In fact, solar energy has been hailed as Egypt’s best bet when it comes to renewable energy sources.
The company acquired the order on behalf of “an Italian leading utility,” the renewables, energy efficiency and waste management firm announced in a statement. Covering approximately 150 hectares, the plant will be using Italian-made 3Sun solar panels mounted on steel structures.
According to a PV Magazine report cited by Forbes, in 2014, Egypt announced a feed-in tariff program to support a 2.3GW goal. The country’s New and Renewable Energy Authority also selected “69 consortiums with large-scale projects of more than 20MW as part of the initial FIT program for 2GW of solar capacity.” However, it will still have much to do to address with growing demand of over 80,000,000 if it hopes to move towards greater energy independence and a more manageable debt to international oil and gas producers.
