Kom Ombo solar power plant project in Egypt

Two new contracts, a solar panel supply contract and an Engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contract have been signed for the 200MW Kom Ombo solar power plant project in Egypt. The supply contract was signed with LONGi and Zhejiang Thermal Power Construction. As per the contract, Zhejiang will supply high-efficiency mono PERC bifacial modules.

The EPC contract on the other hand will be executed by China Power Engineering Consult and Zhejiang Thermal Power, a Energy Engineering Company (CEEC) group company.

Reported earlier

Nov 2019

Egypt to develop 200MW Kom Ombo PV plant

Egypt is set to develop the 200MW Kom Ombo PV plant after it signed a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with Saudi Arabian energy company ACWA Power to develop, finance, construct and operate the plant.

Once operational, the plant will cater to the power needs of 130 thousand households, in addition to offsetting 280 thousand tons of carbon dioxide per year.

Up-scaling sustainable energy in Egypt

According to Dr Mohamed Shaker, the Egyptian Minister of Electricity and Renewable Energy, the signing is a crucial building block that contributes to the Egyptian government’s vision, which aims to upscale sustainable energy security by moulding a balanced energy mix.

“In reflection of HH Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, President of the Arab Republic of Egypt, and the overall government’s ambitious vision, we are keen to leverage renewable energy sources through transparent competitive procurement, which will cater to the country’s current clean energy needs while simultaneously safeguarding our future,” he said.

“The lowest tariff contracted to date for solar energy in North Africa is not only a reflection of continuous improvement in technology and the entrepreneurship of the developer ACWA Power but also of the attractiveness of Egypt as an investment destination and the trade and commercial environment of Egypt to enable facilities of this nature to be financed, constructed and operated efficiently,” Dr Shaker added.

On the other hand, Paddy Padmanathan, Chief Executive Officer of ACWA Power, said that the Egyptian government has long recognised renewable energy as a safe and secure source of power to reliably provide electricity to its citizens while advancing their efforts in reducing carbon emissions.

“The Kom Ombo project that we are embarking upon today is a very strong testament to ACWA Power’s commitment to contribute to this mission,” he affirmed. Construction is expected to be completed during the first quarter of 2021.

September 2020

Kom Ombo solar PV plant developer, Acwa Power, is set to receive US$ 54M worth of financial support from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD). The funds, which will be approved by the end of this month, will be used for the development of the 200 MWp clean energy project in Aswan Governorate, Upper Egypt.

The UK-based international financial institution said in a Project Summary Document (PSD) that the funding will be provided in the form of a “senior debt” of up to US$ 40M, co-financed with other banks, and a “bridge loan” of up to US$ 14 M.

The overall cost of the project is estimated at US$ 155.4M.

Expectations for the project

Fitted with two-sided solar panels that are capable of capturing the sun’s rays on both sides of the module, the Kom Ombo solar PV power plant project is expected to finish construction in the first quarter of next year.

According to Acwa Power, the photovoltaic (PV) park is expected to generate enough power to meet the annual consumption of about 130,000 homes and do away with 280,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide per year once operational.

Its construction will be facilitated by a 25-year power purchase agreement (PPA) signed with the government of the North African country through the Egyptian Electricity Transmission Company (EETC). According to the agreement power from the plant will be sold at US$ 0.0248 per kWh. The Egyptian Minister of Electricity and Renewable Energy Mr. Mohamed Shaker touted this as the lowest tariff contracted for solar energy in the country.

Boost to private sector participation in Egypt’s power sector

The project will be one of the largest privately developed utility-scale solar plants, and it will further promote private sector participation in Egypt’s power sector, whilst increasing the share of renewable energy in the country’s energy mix, in line with the nationally declared targets.

Dec 2020

New contractor for Kom Ombo solar power plant in Egypt

The construction works of the 200 MW Kom Ombo solar power plant in Egypt, will now be carried out by India’s Sterling and Wilson. This comes following an agreement with the Saudi Arabia-based Independent Power Producer (IPP) company, ACWA Power.

The decision was reached as a result of the withdrawal of the former Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) contractor for the project, Mahindra Susten Pvt. Ltd, due to “the impact of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic”. Mahindra Susten Pvt. Ltd., formerly Mahindra EPC Services Pvt. Ltd., is a subsidiary of Mahindra Group, a portfolio company under the Cleantech arm of Mahindra Partners.

According to Diaa El-Din Salah, the Regional Director in Egypt and North Africa at Sterling and Wilson, they are concluding discussions ahead of inking the contract for the project before the end of the year.

About the project

The project entails the installation of two-sided solar panels that are designed with the ability to capture the sun’s rays on both sides.  This technology will achieve greater efficiency and improve the performance of the cells even in the winter season.

As part of the project, Sterling and Wilson will also build a 220 kV transformer station to connect the plant to the national grid.

According to Acwa Power, the photovoltaic (PV) park is expected to generate enough power to meet the annual consumption of about 130,000 homes and do away with 280,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide per year once operational.

A 25-year power purchase agreement (PPA) was signed with the Egyptian Electricity Transmission Company (EETC). This agreement states that the electricity from the plant will be sold to EETC at US$ 0.0248 per kWh, which is the lowest tariff contracted for solar energy in the North African country.

Reported in March 2021

AfDB approves US$ 27.2M for the solar power plant at Kom Ombo, Egypt

The African Development Bank (AfDB)’s Board of directors have approved US$ 27.2M in loan financing for the design, construction, and operation of a 200MW photovoltaic (PV) solar power plant at Kom Ombo, approximately 800km south of Cairo in the Upper region of Egypt.

Owned by ACWA Power, a leading Saudi Arabian developer, investor, co-owner, and operator of a portfolio of power generation, renewable energy, and desalinated water production plants worldwide, the project’s total cost is estimated at US$ 156.4M.

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), the Green Climate Fund (GCF), the Arab Bank, and the OPEC Fund for International Development will also contribute funding in addition to the AfDB’s financing that is structured as a senior loan.

Expectations for the project

The project in question is expected to lower the electricity costs for businesses and residences, as well as reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and create construction and other jobs.

Kevin Kariuki, the AfDB’s vice president for power, energy, climate, and green growth said that the multilateral development finance institution is delighted to support the 200MW photovoltaic (PV) solar power plant at Kom Ombo “that will deliver one of the lowest generation tariffs on the continent,” adding that “the project supports the North Africa Country’s energy transition and contributes towards the achievement of its targeted 20% share of renewables by 2022.”

The project is also expected to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by more than 7 million tonnes over a 25-year period.

Reported April 2021

Kom Ombo Solar power plant construction in Egypt to begin in Q3 2021

ACWA Power, a leading Saudi developer, investor, and operator of power generation and desalinated water plants has announced that the construction of the Kom Ombo Solar power plant will officially begin in the third quarter of the year 2021.

The announcement was made after the finalization of the virtual signing of a 25-year Power Purchase Agreement (PPA), Network Connection Contract, and Usufruct Agreement with senior Egyptian government officials and representatives from the Egyptian Electricity Transmission Company (EETC), the New and Renewable Energy Authority (NREA), and ACWA Power.

According to ACWA, the financial closure of the project is scheduled for the third quarter of 2021, following the obtainment of a US$ 40M senior debt financing and a US$ 14M equity bridge loan from the European Bank of Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), in addition to a US$ 27.2M loan from the African Development Bank (AfDB) to finance the construction, development, and design of the 200 MW solar PV project.

Aim to produce 42% of Egypt’s electricity using renewable sources by 2035

Speaking after the agreements signing ceremony, Dr Mohamed Shaker El Markabi, Egypt’s Minister of Electricity and Renewable Energy explained that the North African country is home to a wide range of untapped renewable resources particularly, wind and solar energy adding that the electrical capacities that can be generated from renewable sources can reach up to nearly 90 GW.

“Our aim, in line with this country’s Integrated Sustainable Energy Strategy, is to produce 42% of electricity using renewable sources by 2035. As I speak the necessary studies are being conducted to increase this percentage, stressing on maximizing the utilization of renewable energy in many areas, including water desalination and green hydrogen production.”

April 2021

Financing agreement signed for Kom Ombo Solar power plant in Egypt

On 22nd April 2021, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), the OPEC Fund for International Development (the OPEC Fund), the African Development Bank (AfDB), the Green Climate Fund (GCF), and the Arab Bank signed a US$ 114 M financing package with ACWA Power for the construction of the largest private solar plant in Egypt, Kom Ombo Solar power plant.

The package comprises loans of up to US$ 36M from the EBRD, US$ 18M from the OPEC Fund, US$ 17.8M from the AfDB, US$ 23.8M from the GCF, and US$ 18M from the Arab Bank.

This is in addition to equity bridge loans of up to US$ 14M from EBRD and US$ 33.5M from Arab Petroleum Investments Corporation (APICORP).

This comes barely two weeks following the finalization of the virtual signing of a 25-year Power Purchase Agreement (PPA), Network Connection Contract, and Usufruct Agreement by ACWA Power with senior Egyptian government officials and representatives from the Egyptian Electricity Transmission Company (EETC), and the New and Renewable Energy Authority (NREA).

Expectations for the project

The development of the Kom Ombo solar plant will add 200 MW of energy capacity, increasing the share of renewable energy in the North African country’s energy mix and further promoting private-sector participation in the Egyptian power sector.

The new power plant will be located less than 20 km from Africa’s biggest solar park, the 1.8 GW Benban complex.

Once operational, the new utility-scale plant will serve approximately 130,000 households and contribute to the Egyptian government’s target to generate 42 per cent of the country’s electricity from renewable energy sources by 2035.

According to Dr. Mohamed Shaker El Markabi, Egypt’s Minister of Electricity and Renewable Energy, the North African country is home to a wide range of untapped renewable resources particularly, wind and solar energy that can generate up to nearly 90 GW.

Reported in May 2021

Supplier of solar inverters chosen for Kom Ombo solar project

Sungrow Power Supply Co., Ltd (“Sungrow”), a leader in the research and development of solar inverters, has been chosen by Acwa Power, a top-tier global power developer, to supply inverters and medium voltage station for the Kom Ombo solar project that is being developed in Egypt.

According to the Chinese company (Sungrow) their inverters, particularly the SG250HX-IN-20 inverter and their MVS6650-LV turnkey medium voltage stations can withstand complex environments such as extreme temperatures, dry and dusty conditions, which are exact characteristics of the Kom Ombo solar project, thanks to their IP66 and C5 protection rating and intelligent forced air-cooling technology. The inverters are also compatible with two-sided solar panels and solar trackers installed at the site.

Sungrow will work closely with Sterling and Wilson Pvt. Ltd., a multinational company engaged in energy services, engineering, construction, and manufacturing that has been awarded the engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) contract for the Kom Ombo solar plant, which will feed 200 MWp into the Egyptian Electricity Transmission Company (EETC) grid.

Commercial operation for the Kom Ombo solar plant set for Q3 2022

According to the Saudi Arabian power producer (Acwa Power), the Kom Ombo solar power plant will start its commercial operations by the third quarter of next year.

The plant will supply approximately 650 GWh per year to 130,000 Egyptian households or its thereabouts at the least, and contribute to the Egyptian government’s target to generate 42 per cent of the country’s electricity from renewable energy sources by 2035.

The Kom Ombo solar power plant will also save the North African country’s emission of nearly 336,000 tonnes of CO2 per annum.

April 2023

US$123M secured for the 200MW Komo Ombo solar project in Egypt

Komo Ombo a 200Mw solar project in Egypt has secured a US$123m financial package signalling that the project may yet move ahead. This was announced by ACWA Power the developer of the project

The Kom Ombo plant will be located less than 20 kilometres from Africa’s biggest solar park, the 1,465 MW Benban complex—another ACWA Power development—and is expected to be commercially operational in January 2024. Once fully functional, the new utility-scale plant will serve 130,000 households.

While the financing documentation was originally signed in April 2021 with the EBRD, the OPEC Fund, the Green Climate Fund (GCF), African Development Bank (AfDB) and Arab Bank, the dynamics in global supply chains due to Covid19 altered the dynamics for the development of solar plants. This resulted in the extension of Kom Ombo’s project execution.