Spotlight: The Largest Solar Project in Africa

The Benban Solar Park, located in Egypt's Aswan Governorate, stands as the largest solar farm in Africa with a capacity of approximately 1.8 GW installed. The Benban Solar Park covers around 37 square kilometers, containing up to 41 solar power plants and over 32 million solar panels. Construction of this groundbreaking project commenced in 2017 and it was officially inaugurated in 2019.

The construction of the solar power plants at the Benban Solar Park attracted over $4 billion in investment from major international financial institutions, such as the International Finance Corporation, Africa Development Bank and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development. The park is managed by Egypt's State-owned New and Renewable Energy Authority, which plays a key role in driving the country's renewable energy initiatives.

The Benban Solar Park represents a strategic initiative for Egypt, aligning with the government's Sustainable Energy Strategy 2035 which aims to increase the share of renewable energy to 42% by 2035. The park plays a crucial role in Egypt's renewable energy generation and will reduce carbon emissions by two million tonnes annually. The park supplies electricity to over one million homes and, at full capacity, is expected to generate 3.8 terawatt-hours of electricity annually.

The Benban Solar Park is poised to make a substantial and sustained contribution to the Egyptian economy. As reported by the African Development Bank (AfDB), approximately 20,000 jobs were created during the construction phase of the park and an additional 6,000 permanent positions were created through the companies overseeing the park. The park has facilitated the development of solar energy expertise within local communities, thereby enhancing their capacity to actively participate in and benefit from renewable energy projects.

As Africa strives to achieve the UN's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the Benban Solar Park exemplifies a successful model for large-scale, sustainable clean energy production, in line with SDG 7. This project alongside the 1.1 GW Suez Wind Project, Abydos Solar Grid and other large-scale renewable energy projects, solidifies Egypt's position as a leader in renewable energy.