El Gouna Red Sea raises solar capacity to 15.8 MW with Solarize-2
El Gouna Red Sea, the flagship year-round destination of Orascom Development Egypt, has opened Solarize-2, ...
El Gouna Red Sea raises solar capacity to 15.8 MW with Solarize-2
El Gouna Red Sea, the flagship year-round destination of Orascom Development Egypt, has opened Solarize-2, its second solar power station developed in partnership with SolarizEgypt, adding 8.6 megawatts (MW) of solar capacity and bringing the destination’s total capacity to 15.8 MW.
Solarize-2 builds on Solarize-1, which established 7.2 MW of solar capacity, and supports El Gouna Red Sea’s target of generating more than 15% of its local energy supply from renewable sources in 2026.
:Investment in renewable energy
The new solar station forms part of El Gouna Red Sea’s broader sustainability strategy, which covers clean energy generation, water security, wastewater treatment and reuse, waste management and sustainable mobility.
The destination plans further solar capacity expansions as it seeks to increase the share of renewable energy in meeting its growing energy requirements.
Yaseen Abd El Ghaffar, Founder of SolarizEgypt, said that through Bequest Holding, SolarizEgypt and Desal, the companies have invested more than EGP 1 billion in advancing El Gouna Red Sea’s green infrastructure.
Ayman Waheed, CEO of SolarizEgypt, said the successful operation of the second solar plant reflects the strength of the companies’ long-standing partnership and demonstrates the potential to scale privately financed renewable-energy infrastructure.
Broader sustainability infrastructure:
El Gouna Red Sea’s sustainability strategy also includes desalination infrastructure, sustainable hospitality, wastewater reuse and waste recycling.
The destination operates a closed-loop wastewater system through which 100% of municipal wastewater is treated and reused, while up to 90% of municipal waste is recycled.
Its Green Star Hotel certification program promotes sustainable practices across hotel operations, while electric tuk-tuks support lower-emission transportation within the destination.
El Gouna Red Sea became the first destination in Africa and the Arab region to receive the Global Green Town Award in 2014. More recently, its long-term investment strategy has included a $155 million sustainability-linked loan from the International Finance Corporation (IFC), incorporating environmental and resource-efficiency targets.
Private-sector renewable investment:
Mohamed Amer, CEO of El Gouna Red Sea and Managing Director of Orascom Development Egypt, said Solarize-2 represents an important step in the destination’s long-term sustainability strategy and highlights the value of its partnership with SolarizEgypt.
Amer said El Gouna Red Sea will continue investing in energy, water, waste and mobility infrastructure to support its growth and create long-term environmental and economic value.
Aly Elsewedy, Vice President at Energya Industries, said the company views renewable energy as an increasingly important part of infrastructure development and is expanding its investments in the sector.
Elsewedy added that Energya Industries is a major equity investor and owner in the Solarize-2 asset and aims to expand its presence across the energy value chain while investing in technologies and infrastructure for Egypt and the region.
Leave a comment