Voltalia and TAQA Arabia Partner with Egypt to Repower Zafarana Wind Farms with Groundbreaking Hybrid Renewable Energy Project

Voltalia has partnered with TAQA Arabia to sign a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Egypt’s Ministry of Electricity to repower the historic Zafarana wind farms. The agreement was signed in the presence of Egypt’s Prime Minister, H.E. Dr. Mostafa Madbouly.

Commissioned two decades ago, the 545-megawatt Zafarana wind farms were the first of their kind in the MENA region, marking a pivotal moment in Egypt’s renewable energy journey. With the turbines nearing the end of their lifespan, a new strategy is essential to modernize and optimize the site. Located 130 kilometers southeast of Cairo, Zafarana benefits from some of the strongest wind conditions in the MENA region, alongside abundant solar irradiation typical of the Sahara climate.

Voltalia and TAQA Arabia have proposed an innovative hybrid renewable energy solution to maximize land use across plots 5–8 of Zafarana. This project will integrate wind and photovoltaic technologies, delivering a combined capacity of up to three gigawatts. The first phase is expected to be commissioned by 2028.

As part of the partnership, the two companies will conduct detailed technical and environmental studies to develop an integrated green power facility. The project will merge 1.1 gigawatts of wind energy with 2.1 gigawatts of solar energy, making it Egypt’s first renewable facility to combine both technologies. Key studies will focus on wind dynamics, bird migration patterns, solar irradiation, and geotechnical and environmental assessments. This initiative aligns with Egypt’s national renewable energy goals and its strategy to promote private sector participation in reducing reliance on conventional energy sources.

The signing ceremony, held in Cairo, underscores Egypt’s commitment to sustainable development and advancing its green energy transition. Attendees included H.E. Dr. Mahmoud Esmat, Minister of Electricity and Renewable Energy, and other key government officials, including Ms. Mona Rizk, Chairperson of the Egyptian Electricity Transmission Company (EETC), and Dr. Mohamed El-Khayat, Executive Chairman of the New and Renewable Energy Authority (NREA). Representing France, Ambassador Eric Chevallier joined the event. TAQA Arabia was represented by Eng. Khaled AbuBakr, Chairman, Ms. Pakinam Kafafi, CEO, and Eng. Samy Abdel Qader, Managing Director of TAQA Power. From Voltalia, attendees included CEO Sébastien Clerc, Robert Klein, Head of Latin America & North Africa, and Eng. Karim El Azzawy, Voltalia’s Country Manager for Egypt and Jordan.Sébastien Clerc, CEO of Voltalia stated: “Signing this agreement is a crucial step towards supporting Egypt’s ambitious renewable energy goals, and we are honored to work on this landmark project. Our presence in Egypt, thanks to our operating project within the Benban solar cluster, and our experience with hybrid wind-and-solar projects, such as in our Serra Branca cluster in Brazil, enables us to build upon Zafarana’s legacy with confidence to bring more clean energy to the Egyptian grid”.

Sébastien Clerc, CEO of Voltalia stated: “Signing this agreement is a crucial step towards supporting Egypt’s ambitious renewable energy goals, and we are honored to work on this landmark project. Our presence in Egypt, thanks to our operating project within the Benban solar cluster, and our experience with hybrid wind-and-solar projects, such as in our Serra Branca cluster in Brazil, enables us to build upon Zafarana’s legacy with confidence to bring more clean energy to the Egyptian grid”.

Ms. Pakinam Kafafi, CEO of TAQA Arabia, expressed her enthusiasm, stating: “This project represents a milestone in TAQA Arabia’s commitment to advancing green energy, aligning seamlessly with Egypt’s national sustainability vision. We are conducting pivotal studies in one of Egypt’s most promising regions for solar and wind power, laying the groundwork for transformative energy solutions. Our ongoing partnership with Voltalia is a testament to our shared ambitions, and we look forward to expanding this fruitful collaboration.”