Egypt laid the foundation stone on Monday for a $210 million solar energy manufacturing complex in the Suez Canal Economic Zone, involving partners from China, the UAE, Bahrain, and Egypt with a targeted annual capacity of 2 gigawatts. The Atum Solar project, located in the TEDA industrial zone, aims to manufacture 2 GW of solar cells and 2 GW of solar modules annually.
The Atum Solar project marks a strategic step toward localizing the solar energy industry in Egypt, as stated by Kamel Al-Wazir, Deputy Prime Minister for Industrial Development and Minister of Industry and Transport. He noted that the initiative relies on a comprehensive investment structure among partners from the four nations. The facility plans to export its entire production of solar cells to the US market, while solar modules will serve the local Egyptian market as well as neighboring markets in the Middle East and Africa.
"The project reinforces Egypt’s contribution to the transition to renewable energy, reducing carbon emissions, and strengthening the local supply chain," Al-Wazir said. The plant is projected to create approximately 840 direct jobs.
The groundbreaking ceremony was attended by representatives from the consortium partners, including Chinese manufacturer JA Solar, UAE-based Global South Utilities, Bahrain’s Infinity Capital, and Egypt’s AH for Industrial Management and Consulting. A construction contract for the complex was signed on the sidelines of the event, with signatories including Ahmed Abou Hashima, Chairman of AH; Ali Al-Shammari, CEO of Global South Utilities; Li Shaohui, CEO of JA Solar; and Abdulla Al Zain, Chairman of Infinity Capital.
Al-Wazir highlighted that the manufacturing of solar components is among 28 promising industrial sectors identified by the ministry for growth. He emphasized that the project aligns with the state’s urgent plan to deepen local manufacturing, replace imports with high-quality local products, and open new export markets.