Work has started on the first units of Egypt’s giant 37 km2 Benban solar park.
Located about 650 km south of Cairo in Aswan province, the park is a vital part of the country’s plans to generate 22% of its total energy mix by 2020 via renewables.
According to a report in Construction Review, Benban is being financed by several organisations, including the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank and the Commercial Bank of China. The project will help reduce greenhouse gas emissions by more than 500 000 tons of carbon dioxide annually.
The first four units will have an output of 186 MW. Benban – which is planned to be completed by the middle of next year – will eventually have a 2 000 MW capacity and be one of the biggest solar plants in the world.
