Egyptian government has signed a memorandum of understanding with Saudi Energy Company Acwa Power to conduct a feasibility study for water desalination projects powered by renewable energy. Acwa Power announced the signing of a memorandum of understanding with two government departments regarding the assessment of a series of renewable energy desalination projects.
Reports will be issued to the Ministry of Housing, Utilities, and Urban Communities in Egypt and state-owned facilities of the Egyptian Electricity Holding Company. The public bodies will decide the next steps for the proposed projects. Acwa Power did not specify a timetable for completing the studies.
It was also not clarified whether the projects under study will include new developing new capacities of solar and wind power, or whether the production of the existing renewable energy plants will be used to power the desalination projects.
Last year, Egypt connected more than 1.5 GW of solar energy in the Benban complex near the city of Aswan, southern Egypt, and Acwa Power implemented 120 MW of solar energy at the Benban site.
The Saudi company also submitted the winning bid for the development of the Kom Ombo project, which has a capacity of 200 MW, west of the Nile, which is expected to be completed next year.
Mr. Paddy Padmanathan, CEO of Acwa Power, commented: “As we continue to expand our investments in the country, the implementation of this Memorandum of Understanding also indicates the confidence the Egyptian government places in us.”
