- One of Egypts first wind projects at Zaafarana will be decommissioned in 2021
- The 30MW plant’ 20-year life span is coming to an end.
The information was made public on April 20, 2020. “The closure of the wind farm is likely to affect the amount of local renewable energy. This in turn will reduce the value of the financial resources of the New and Renewable Energy Authority (NREA), which is responsible for the project, in the coming years,” Egypt’s Ministry of Electricity and Renewable Energy, Mohamed Shaker El-Markabi Mohamed Shaker El-Markabi announced.
The Zafarana area is home to multiple wind projects with a combined capacity of 550MW. The Zafarana project has contributed to technology transfer in terms of providing operational experience in wind power plant operation, as well as local assembly of the wind turbines. The project is owned and operated by the Egyptian New & Renewable Energy Authority.
Egypt has an extensive renewable energy programme and plans to increase energy production to reach 20 percent of total electricity generation by 2022. The mix will be made up of wind power 12%, hydropower 6% and 2% from solar power. “We have therefore anticipated the closure of the wind farm by putting in place projects for the coming period,” said Mohamed Shaker El-Markabi.
The Egyptian government will also be opening up a larger area of 656 km2 at El-Zayt, south of Zafarana. With a potential for 3000 MW of wind power capacity, the government will involve private sector investment for the first time. Wind speeds here can reach an average of 11 m/s.
Author: Bryan Groenendaal
