(Image credit: Power Technology)
The continent of Africa has one of the greatest potentials for solar generation across the world.
Of the 54 countries in Africa, Egypt has the highest solar energy potential. The government in Egypt has set a renewable energy target of increasing the number of renewables in its electricity mix to 42% by 2035.
To reach this target, solar farms have been built in the country. Of the farms that have been built, carbon emissions have been reduced by two million tonnes a year and provides clean electricity to more than one million homes.
The most significant solar farm in Egypt is the Benhan solar farm in Aswan.
Launched in 2018, the Benhan mega-project quickly became one of the largest solar parks in the world.
Overall development of the project was led by the Egyptian New and Renewable Energy Authority and was supported by a $55mn investment by the African Development Bank.
The investment included the deployment of 34 solar plants each with a 50MW capacity. At full capacity the Benhan solar farm is set to produce 3.8TwH of clean electricity annually. The project has created 6000 permanent positions and 20,000 jobs during its construction phase.
Overall, the Egyptian New and Renewable Energy Authority has allowed 39 companies, that specialise in renewable energy production, to operate in their solar facilities for 25years. The Benhan solar farm is not the only significant solar project to take shape in the region. Discussions have begun with the local authority in Aswan to turn the Benhan Industrial High School into a ‘solar energy school’ that will provide training and various aspects of solar energy and electrical engineering.
The Benhan solar farm has set a precedent for clean energy production in Africa, leading the way to reach sustainable goals in line with UN Strategy.
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