UAE, Egypt Ink Deal To Develop Largest Wind Farm In Africa

The UAE and Egypt are set to develop one of the largest wind farms in the world and the largest in Africa.

On Wednesday, Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company PJSC-Masdar announced on Twitter that the deal, which was signed by Masdar alongside Africa's leading energy developer Infinity Power, Hassan Allam Utilities, and Egypt's New and Renewable Energy Authority in Cairo, involves securing land to develop a US$10-billion 10-GW onshore wind farm in Egypt.

"#Masdar, Infinity Power and Hassan Allam Utilities have signed an agreement with Egypt's New and #RenewableEnergy Authority to secure land to build a 10GW capacity onshore wind farm in Egypt—one of the largest in the world, with a project value of over US$10 billion," tweeted Masdar.

The wind farm is expected to yield 47,790 GWh of clean energy per year and displace 23.8 million tons of carbon dioxide annually, curbing Egypt's annual carbon emissions by 9 percent. The project will also help the country source 42 percent of its energy from renewables by 2030, allowing it to meet its strategic goal to fight climate change and save at least $5 billion in natural gas costs per year.

"This 10GW onshore wind project is set to be one of the largest wind farms in the world and the largest on the African continent. It is a sign of the strong partnership between the UAE and Egypt, with great potential to create jobs, cut emissions, and power homes with clean electricity at competitive economical costs," he said.

"The world needs to triple between energy capacity by 2030 to meet the goals of the Paris Agreement," he added, noting that projects like the wind farm will support global efforts aimed at reducing the impact of climate change and realizing socioeconomic growth.

"The UAE looks forward to hosting COP28, we continue to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the Global South in their efforts to decarbonize and secure a just energy transition," Al Jaber continued.

Meanwhile, Egypt's Minister of Electricity and Renewable Energy Dr. Mohamed Shaker Al-Markabi said the project will help advance the country's electricity sector by optimizing the use of new and renewable energy sources and cutting dependence on fossil fuels. He added that the project will help Egypt have up to 42 percent of its energy mix from renewable sources by 2030.

"Renewable energy in Egypt has the potential to attract direct foreign investments, and the national Egyptian entities play a vital role in creating an environment that is supportive of investment with low risks, and high interaction with the financing institutions and development partners," said Al-Markabi.