Egypt Sets to Launch Largest Solar Power Project with Norway’s Scatec in 2026

Egypt is preparing to roll out its largest-ever solar energy project after reaching advanced talks with Norway’s Scatec, with a final agreement expected in the second quarter of 2026, a government official told Asharq.

The planned deal covers a package of solar power generation and energy storage projects with a combined capacity of up to 5,700 megawatts, marking a major step in Egypt’s strategy to expand renewable energy and strengthen the national power grid.

According to the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, the agreement includes the construction of solar power plants with a total capacity of 1,700 megawatts in Minya Governorate, alongside battery energy storage projects totaling 4,000 megawatts. Of the storage capacity, 1,500 megawatts will be owned by Scatec, while 2,500 megawatts will be battery systems linked to solar plants not owned by the company.

Authorities are currently studying the distribution of battery storage projects across several locations, including Abu Qir, Nagaa Hammadi, and areas south of Cairo. Technical and operational assessments are underway to select the most suitable sites to ensure efficiency and stability of the electricity grid.

The official said negotiations also cover long-term power purchase prices, in line with Egypt’s broader strategy to increase reliance on renewable energy sources and enhance the flexibility of the national grid.

Under the proposed agreement, Scatec will build transformer substations to connect the new projects to the grid, while the Egyptian Electricity Transmission Company will commit to purchasing the full output over the projects’ operational lifetime, according to contractual terms.

Electricity and Renewable Energy Minister Mahmoud Esmat previously said Egypt’s current renewable energy capacity stands at 8,866 megawatts, including wind, solar, and hydropower, in addition to 300 megawatt-hours of battery storage. These capacities are expected to rise to 17,991 megawatts by the end of 2027, alongside 9,320 megawatt-hours of energy storage, underscoring Egypt’s accelerating shift toward clean energy.