Egypt is shoring up polysilicon ahead of solar energy expansion: Egypt has completed the feasibility study for a new solar-powered silicone production complex in New Alamein, according to a statement. The project — spanning 200 feddans on Egypt’s North Coast — aims to produce locally-manufactured silicone and derivatives rather than rely on imports.

Securing supply chains: The first phase will produce silicone at a production capacity of 45k tons annually with an investment cost of USD 172 mn. Silicone derivatives — used for insulating materials, construction, and others — will be manufactured in the second phase with an initial production capacity of 60k-100k tons annually depending on the availability of essential local raw materials like silicon, methanol, and hydrochloric acid.

And key materials for solar cells are in the pipeline: The third phase will produce polysilicon — commonly used in the manufacturing of solar cells and electronics — with an initial production capacity of 10k tons annually, according to the statement. This should help keep pace with the proliferation of solar energy projects, it added. The fourth phase will involve setting up a complex for manufacturing products usually imported from abroad like insulating material, adhesives, and rubber.

Who’s in? The project’s shareholders will include the Egyptian Petrochemicals Holding Company, the Egyptian Mineral Resources Authority, the Egyptian Company for Mineral Resources, the Public Enterprise Ministry’s Metallurgical Industries Holding and the Egyptian Ferro Alloys in partnership with National Initiative of Developing Egyptian Industry (Ebda), Libra Capital and Central Desert Mining Company.

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