Chinese solar tech powers mega projects, transforms energy landscape in Egypt

From the sprawling Obelisk Solar Power Project to off-grid rural villages, Chinese solar technology is transforming Egypt's energy landscape and accelerating the country's green transition.

Solar energy is expanding rapidly across Egypt as the country receives some of the world's most intense and prolonged exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation.

In Naga Hamadi in the southern Qena governorate, the UV index can climb to as high as 14 and remains at extreme levels for over five hours a day.

The abundant sunshine makes the region an ideal location for the Obelisk Solar Power Project.

Spanning over 20 square kilometers, the facility boasts a total capacity of 1,000 megawatts (MW). It also features a battery energy storage system capable of holding 200 megawatt-hours (MWh) of electricity, ranking it among Africa's largest solar-plus-storage initiatives.

Given the extreme heat in southern Egypt, equipment durability is paramount. Therefore, when Scatec, the Norwegian developer of the project, selected its hardware, it opted to rely primarily on Chinese solar technology.

Industry experts point to several drivers behind Egypt's growing appetite for China's green energy solutions.

"The swift supply, the cost and efficiency, and the guarantees, because Chinese OEMs (original equipment manufacturers) have the capability to give warranty and also guarantees to the project developer. They are also thinking about localizing -- some of [the project's] battery storage systems are localizing some components in Egypt, so this may be very, very cost-efficient to project developers like Scatec and others," said Osama Fawzy Georgy Henein, founder and CEO of Hydrogen Intelligence - H2lligence, an intelligence platform focused on green hydrogen and renewable energy in Africa.

Hundreds of miles away in the northern Sharqiya governorate, solar power brings an equally transformative impact on local communities.

The small village of Al Basaisa began using solar energy nearly 50 years ago, making it a pioneer in Egypt's renewable energy push.

"Solar power has changed the village entirely. Power cuts are frequent, but solar energy is continuous. I would pay up to 10 dollars a month for normal electricity bills. But only one dollar a month for solar lets me use a socket and three lamps," said Mohamed Mansour, a local resident.

For years, high costs stood as the main obstacle to widespread solar adoption in the village, until Chinese companies came with cutting-edge technology at affordable prices.

"The main obstacle to solar energy becoming popular is the cost. The organization has raised awareness and now we have a waiting list of subscribers. Growing competition among companies now is making it cheaper and has improved the quality," said Solaiman Hussieny, project manager of Al Basaisa Social Development, an initiative focused on rural social development.

Today, the village's main facilities, including a three-story NGO building, a local mosque, and a number of households, are powered entirely by solar energy.

Chinese solar tech powers mega projects, transforms energy landscape in Egypt

Years of electricity disruptions have created a parallel power economy in Sudan, as generators, solar power systems, and batteries are becoming essential for households and businesses in the capital Khartoum and other cities.

As Khartoum struggles to recover from the devastating effects of the war, prolonged power outages are compounding the hardships facing residents.

To keep the lights on at homes or businesses, one must first find power solutions. Generators are now an essential element for many business sectors, homes and public facilities. This makes the electricity crisis a source of income for traders and suppliers.

"Generators are very costly, and to run a business relying on generators and fuel will force you to add the extra cost [into the consumer price,]" said Ahmed Aljafri, a generator owner.

Just as demand grows for generators, repairs, fuel and batteries as a result of frequent power disruptions, so the need increases for technicians and suppliers to keep the sector operating.

"The volume of work has significantly increased in Khartoum since 2025. People pursue reliable power solutions including both solar panels and fuel generators for homes and shops as well," said Mozamil Ahmed, power engineer.

As life gradually returns back to normal, parts of the capital are reconnecting to the national grid. Experts say alternative power could remain crucial as the national grid undergoes reconstruction.

Power generators in growing demand as Khartoum copes with unreliable electricity supply