The largest wind farm in Africa, in the area of Gulf of al-Zayt in Egypt, will produce 200 Megawatt (MW), and has been launcheded. The wind farm has seen light through cooperation in the field of renewable energy between the Federal Republic of Germany through Kreditanstalt für Wiederaufbau (KfW), the European Union (EU), and the European Investment Bank (EIB) jointly with the Ministry of Electricity and Renewable Energy in Egypt. The project is an integral part of the Egyptian long-term energy strategy to exploit the enormous renewable energy potentials of Egypt. The total budget of the project amounts to 340 million Euros; the EU granted a 30 million Euros of them, the German Development Cooperation through KfW loaned 191.5 million Euros, and the EIB 50 million Euros.
“The Gulf of al-Zayt wind farm represents a major renewable energy resource that will help boost Egypt’s economy, create jobs and reduce greenhouse gas pollution. It is also particularly relevant at a time when the international community is working hard for a new global climate deal in Paris next month at the UN climate conference. Indeed, the new wind farm will increase the Egyptian wind installed capacity by 35 per cent, which will decrease carbon emissions by 400,000 tons per year,” said Ambassador James Moran Head of the EU Delegation to Egypt. “With this in mind, I am sure that the EU grant contribution of €30 million is highly appropriate and will be well spent”, Moran added.
The project is part of a larger national programme to further expand power generation from renewable energy in Egypt and, thus, will enhance the security of supply through more diversified electricity sources.
Watani International
8 November 2015