Cairo – Mubasher: Orascom Construction (OC) has inaugurated the multipurpose applications by thermodynamic solar (MATS) plant in Borg El-Arab, the coastal city of Alexandria.
The project is divided into two plants; a full-fledged solar power plant operated by Concentrating Solar Power (CSP) technology developed by ENEA, the Italian national agency for new technologies, energy and sustainable economic development, according to the company’s statement to the Egyptian Exchange (EGX).
“The technology will use molten salts as heat transfer fluid and will produce heat and power from solar sources integrated with renewable fuels, such as biomass, biogas and industrial residues,” according to the company's website.
The Egypt-based firm's project included a water desalination plant which will serve around 1,000 people living in the desert area.
The European Union (EU) secured EUR12 million for the project, Al-Ahram Online reported.
MATS plant is expected to produce over 3,000 MWh of electricity and about 8,900 MWh of thermal energy every year by its last phase of operation, Ahram Online added.
The plant is set to produce “electricity, heat, cooling, and desalinated water by using solar energy integrated with other energy sources which are available locally,” according to the European Commission’s official website.
