Egypt Builds Mega Solar Array in Western Desert

ASWAN — Egypt has completed the third expansion phase of the Benban Solar Park, situated in the Western Desert, lifting its total capacity to 2.2 Gigawatts. Spanning over 37 square kilometers, the facility is now one of the largest solar installations in the world, visible from space and capable of powering over 2 million homes.

The expansion was executed by a consortium of international developers, including Norway’s Scatec, Saudi Arabia’s ACWA Power, and Egypt’s state-owned renewable energy agency.

Sarah Jenkins, Energy Policy Analyst, details the implications: “Egypt is no longer just aiming for domestic energy self-sufficiency; it is positioning itself as a vital green electricity link between Africa, Europe, and the Middle East. High-voltage subsea cables are already under construction to connect Egypt’s grid with Greece and Cyprus, allowing the export of solar energy to European markets.”

The project serves as a model for public-private partnership. The Egyptian government provided long-term land leases, guaranteed 25-year feed-in tariffs, and constructed state-of-the-art grid substations, mitigating initial capital risks for international developers.

Nonetheless, grid storage remains the technical bottleneck. Solar power peaks during the day, whereas maximum domestic demand is in the evening. Egypt is exploring hydro-pumped storage projects and large-scale battery systems to balance grid frequency and ensure steady export capacities.