Scatec Completes Africa’s Largest Hybrid Solar And Battery Storage Project In Egypt

Scatec ASA, the Norway-based renewable energy company, has completed the final phase of its Obelisk project in Egypt, bringing the entire facility into full commercial operation. Located in Nagaa Hammadi, the project is now Africa’s largest hybrid solar and battery energy storage facility and represents a major development in Egypt’s clean energy transition.

The Obelisk complex combines 1.1 gigawatts of solar power generation with a 100 MW/200 MWh battery energy storage system. The project was developed in two phases. The first phase delivered 561 MW of solar capacity along with the complete battery storage system, while the second phase added another 564 MW of solar capacity.

The project was completed in record time after the signing of a power purchase agreement in November 2024. Electricity generated by the facility is being supplied to the Egyptian Electricity Transmission Company under a 25-year U.S. dollar-denominated agreement.

The facility is expected to generate more than 3,000 GWh of clean electricity annually. It is also projected to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by over 1.2 million tonnes each year. The project will support Egypt’s efforts to reduce its dependence on imported fossil fuels while strengthening the availability of renewable power for the national grid.

Battery storage is a key part of the Obelisk project. The 200 MWh system stores excess solar electricity generated during periods of strong sunlight and allows the power to be dispatched when demand is high or after sunset. This helps address the intermittent nature of solar generation and provides greater flexibility and stability to the electricity grid.

Scatec CEO Terje Pilskog said the completion of Obelisk is an important milestone for the company. He highlighted the project as an example of Scatec’s ability to finance and deliver large and complex renewable energy infrastructure in emerging markets while providing reliable electricity over the long term.

With Obelisk now fully operational, together with Scatec’s existing 380 MW BenBan solar plant, the company manages nearly 1.5 GW of renewable energy capacity in Egypt. Scatec is the main shareholder in the Obelisk project, with minority equity partners including the National Bank of Egypt, Norfund and EDF Power Solutions.