EBRD European Bank for Reconstruction and Develo : boosts renewable energy in Egypt

© Infinity 50 for Renewable Energy and The Door Production House, Egypt

العربية

Financing 120 MW solar power plants in Benban

Under the EBRD's US$ 500 million framework for renewable energy in Egypt, the Bank is providing a financing package of US$ 73 million for the construction and operation of three solar photovoltaic power plants in Egypt totalling 120 MW.

These plants will contribute to a reduction of approximately 150,000 tonnes of CO emissions yearly and will help the economic development of the Aswan province.

Built by the Saudi energy and water developer ACWA Power together with Chinese partner CHINT Solar (Zheijiang) and local partner Al-Tawakol Electrical Co. (GILA), and co-financed by the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (ICBC) with a matching loan that also benefits from support from MIGA (Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency), the plants are part of the second round of Egypt's ambitious feed-in tariff scheme for renewables and will be part of the planned 1.8 GW Benban solar complex in Aswan province, in the southern area of Upper Egypt.

Harry Boyd-Carpenter, EBRD Director, Power and Energy Utilities, said: 'We are delighted to partner again with ACWA Power, who brings its deep expertise to another market with this investment in Egypt. This is a further signing under the Bank's US$ 500 million framework for renewables in Egypt and we are very pleased to be able to build on several years of policy advice and technical assistance with these investments.'

Rajit Nanda, Chief Investment Officer of ACWA Power added: 'The Benban projects are significant for being ACWA Power's first investment in Egypt, and we are confident that we will have many more opportunities as the country moves towards energy security and other Vision 2030 goals. We are also proud to be associated with the EBRD in Egypt, building upon continuing relationships, as they support the development of renewable energy in Egypt and Northern Africa.'

Support for the framework has been provided by the SEMED Energy Efficiency Policy Dialogue Framework, funded by the European Neighbourhood Investment Facility; and the EBRD Southern and Eastern Mediterranean (SEMED) Multi-Donor Account.*

To date, the EBRD has invested more than €3.7 billion directly in renewable energy, supporting 111 projects in 23 countries and funding more than 5.7 GW of capacity.

Egypt is a founding member of the EBRD and has been receiving funding since 2012. To date, the Bank has invested €2.7 billion in 51 projects in the country. The EBRD's areas of investment include the financial sector, agribusiness, manufacturing and services, as well as infrastructure projects such as power, municipal water and wastewater services and support for transport services. The Bank has also provided technical assistance to more than 500 small and medium-sized local enterprises.

*The donors of the SEMED MDA are: Australia, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, Taipei China and the United Kingdom.