Egypt is quickly emerging as the world’s next ‘solar hot-spot’. Part of the government’s ambitious sustainable-energy strategy is the landmark solar feed-in tariff (FiT) programme, which sees utility-scale solar-power plants being built in the country for the first time.

Comprising photo-voltaic power plants with a combined capacity of 500MW, the project is aimed at helping to drive sustainable-energy growth, support the local economy and protect the environment by reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

As part of the FiT programme, GE Power’s Power Conversion (www.gepower.com) business will provide a full turn-key contract to Fas Energy with the aim of building the 500MW solar plant for EETC (Egyptian Electricity Transmission Co).

When completed, the plant will be able to power 15,000 homes. The agreement will see GE provide 4.4MW ‘solar skids’ featuring the company’s LV5 1,500V solar inverters.

The company will also procure the complete plant assets (such as solar modules, trackers and cables), and it will be responsible for the civil, mechanical and electrical works.

Lamya Yousef, head of IPP and renewable Energy at EETC, said: “Egypt’s New and Renewable Energy Authority has set a target of generating 20% of energy from renewable sources by the year 2020, among which solar development is a key driver.

“The FiT programme is the first utility-scale solar project in Egypt; it shows our strong commitment to both the country’s sustainable economic growth and a cleaner environment.”

Azeez Mohammed, president and CEO of GE’s Power Conversion business, added: “This is GE’s first full turn-key contract to build a solar-power plant.

“By taking an integrated system approach, we will help to de-risk the project and enhance plant reliability and revenues.

“With digital technology providing the next enhancement to our solar solution port-folio, we are committed to bringing greater efficiency and productivity to the solar farms of tomorrow.”