juwi builds off-grid hybrid PV system in Egyptian desert

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Reddit
Email

German renewable energy specialist juwi has constructed its first project in Egypt — an off-grid hybrid system which consists of a 50kW PV system, four small wind turbines and a battery storage unit.

Located in Wadi El Natrun, a valley surrounded by barren desert land situated between Cairo and Alexandria, the hybrid system will generate electricity to power several water pumps for irrigation as well as a plant for desalination of groundwater. The battery system, which has a storage capacity of 500kWh, will ensure that the water pumps and desalination plant are able to operate 24 hours a day.

This article requires Premium SubscriptionBasic (FREE) Subscription

Try Premium for just $1

  • Full premium access for the first month at only $1
  • Converts to an annual rate after 30 days unless cancelled
  • Cancel anytime during the trial period

Premium Benefits

  • Expert industry analysis and interviews
  • Digital access to PV Tech Power journal
  • Exclusive event discounts

Or get the full Premium subscription right away

Or continue reading this article for free

The project utilises technical equipment, PV modules and inverters delivered from Wörrstadt, Germany while the four small turbines were delivered from the Netherlands. juwi worked with an Alexandria-based electricity company to build the hybrid system in just two weeks.

Fabian Jochem, Head of Department of Off-grid at juwi said: “It was an emotional moment when, after two weeks of continuous work, the plant went into operation. Middle of the night, in the headlights of a pickup truck, we have the pump for the first time started! Bubbling and the water.”

Jochem’s colleague Norbert Borchert added: “We have not only brought water to the desert, but also passed on our knowledge to the people who can use it here immediately. Also explains why the project was worthwhile. With the new hybrid system is also the old diesel generator superfluous. This is good for the environment and saves fuel costs. The diesel generator was not only old, extremely loud and dirty, but also very maintenance intensive.”

The company has been able to monitor the system from Germany via the GSm mobile phone network. Potential interference can be identified and corrected in real-time through local service companies.

Read Next

September 5, 2025
US solar tracker manufacturer Nextracker has launched a new electrical balance of systems (eBOS) trunk connector.
September 5, 2025
Scientists from Germany and Saudi Arabia have discovered that perovskite thin-film cells are compatible with current industry standard silicon solar cells, which they claim is a “crucial step toward the industrialisation of perovskite silicon tandem solar cells”.
September 5, 2025
During a week of major US clean energy developments, ContourGlobal, PSE, Arevon, and Ameren Missouri advanced solar projects across four states in the US.
September 5, 2025
Newly formed firm Solaris Assets has acquired the business operations and assets of Texas-based residential solar installer Sunnova.
September 5, 2025
US solar tracker manufacturer Array Technologies has announced that two of its tracking systems are compatible with 2,000V solar systems.
September 5, 2025
Research firm Rystad Energy has found that Queensland’s utility-scale solar PV power plants have dominated the best-performing assets, in terms of AC capacity factor, rankings for August 2025.

Subscribe to Newsletter

Upcoming Events

Solar Media Events
September 16, 2025
Athens, Greece
Solar Media Events
September 30, 2025
Seattle, USA
Solar Media Events
October 1, 2025
London, UK
Solar Media Events
October 2, 2025
London,UK
Solar Media Events
October 7, 2025
Manila, Philippines