Sungrow has announced the signing of a contract to supply inverters for the 200MW Kom Ombo project in Egypt, following an agreement between ACWA Power and the EPC contractor Sterling and Wilson. The project will be the country’s largest privately developed utility-scale solar plant and will increase the share of renewable energy in Egypt’s energy mix in line with national targets.
Given the harsh desert climate at the plant’s location, with extremes of temperature combined with dry and dusty conditions, the IP66 and C5 protection capabilities and smart forced air-cooling technology of Sungrow’s SG250HX-IN-20 and its medium-voltage turnkey station MVS6650-LV were key in the selection process. Compatible with bifacial modules and tracking systems, they offer a solution which enables significant yields to be achieved.
Egypt’s plan is to generate 42% of its electricity from renewables by 2035 and IPP system measures will facilitate the transition to solar energy and open doors for international companies such as ACWA Power and Sungrow to contribute to the country’s sustainable energy journey.
In October 2019, ACWA Power concluded a 25-year Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with the Egyptian government to develop, finance, construct and operate the Kom Ombo plant and, with an investment of US$ 160 million, the project is expected to commence commercial operations in Q3 2022. Once operational, Kom Ombo will generate clean power equivalent to an annual 650 GWh and will cater for the needs of 130,000 households, as well as offsetting 336,000 tons of carbon dioxide per year.
Alvin Shi, Managing Director for Sungrow’s MENA region, commented: “This Egyptian landmark project has achieved a competitive tariff while driving the growth of solar energy as an affordable alternative to conventional energy sources. By deploying the Sungrow 250 kW inverter solution, the Kom Ombo project is set up for operational excellence and marks a milestone in our partnership track record with our local partners ACWA Power, as well as with Sterling and Wilson.”
Sungrow’s outstanding performance in the Egyptian commercial and industrial segment in 2020 has seen it take top market share in the country. With a local branch established in Dubai, Sungrow is poised to leap forward in the MENA region in 2021.