EGYPT POWERS UP WITH AFRICA’S LARGEST SOLAR-BATTERY PROJECT

The second phase will contribute an additional 564 MW by year’s end, pushing the country’s clean energy transition into high gear.

Egypt Africa Sola panel Project Renewable energy Development.
Egypt Powers up Africa Largest Sola Battary Project
Egypt Powers up Africa Largest Sola Battary Project
In a bold leap toward a greener future, Egypt has broken ground on what is poised to become one of the largest solar-plus-storage projects on the African continent. The $590-million “Obelisk” solar project, spearheaded by Norwegian renewable energy firm Scatec, will rise in Nagaa Hammadi, Upper Egypt, bringing 1.1 gigawatts (GW) of solar capacity and a robust 200 megawatt-hour (MWh) battery storage system online by late 2026.

Set to roll out in two phases, the project will first connect 561 MW of solar capacity and the full 200 MWh of storage to Egypt’s grid by mid-2026. The second phase will contribute an additional 564 MW by year’s end, pushing the country’s clean energy transition into high gear. 

Transmission of the generated power will be handled via new 220 kV high-voltage lines constructed by a consortium of Kharafi National and Power Ring.

A major boost to the project came in December 2024 when it received Egypt’s prestigious “golden license,” a streamlined permit that cuts red tape for strategic national investments.

The Obelisk project is backed by a hybrid financing model: a $120 million bridge loan, $90 million in support from the Arab Energy Fund, and $30 million from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD). A long-term debt agreement is also in the works with global development finance institutions.

This ambitious endeavor underscores Egypt’s commitment to renewable energy leadership and climate resilience, while providing a critical step toward energy security and economic development in Upper Egypt.

Comments

You must be logged in to comment.