China’s Elite Solar to build 8 GW solar cell manufacturing hub in Egypt’s SCZone

We have more details on Elite Solar’s solar panel factory in Egypt: China’s solar panel manufacturer Elite Solar will build an 8 GW solar cell manufacturing hub in Egypt with total investments estimated at USD 150 mn, according to a statement released this week. The agreement was signed during the three-day Forum on China-Africa Cooperation last week.

About the first phase: The two-phase project, which will span 78k sqm, will be located in the Suez Canal Economic Zone (SCZone). The project’s first phase will include setting up a solar cell production line with a capacity of 2 GW with production scheduled to be completed by September 2025, according to the statement. Once fully operational, the facility is expected to generate annual revenue of over USD 190 mn.

What they said: "This venture will position Egypt as a central hub for photovoltaic manufacturing in the Middle East and North Africa," Elite Solar Chairman Derek Liu said. "With a planned total production capacity of 8 GW, we are introducing solar technology to revolutionize local supply chains and manufacturing standards,” Liu added.

About Elite Solar: Established in 2005, the Singapore HQ-ed company is a global provider of photovoltaic modules and intelligent energy solutions with over 10 GW of solar modules delivered globally, according to its website. The company has manufacturing facilities in Indonesia and Vietnam and works with utility, commercial, and industrial clients.

More solar solar panel manufacturers are tapping on the region’s potential: KSA’s Public Investment Fund signed a JV agreement in July with China’s solar module manufacturer JinkoSolar and Vision Industries for the manufacturing of 10 GW of photovoltaic cells and modules. The planned USD 1 bn solar cell facility is set to go live in 2026. Lumetech — a subsidiary of China’s TCL Zhonghuan Renewable Energy — also recently signed a JV agreement for the production of solar PV ingots and wafers in Saudi Arabia with annual capacity to generate 20 GW of power.

And more: Chinese solar panel manufacturer Hainan Drinda New Energy Technology signed a provisional agreement in June with Oman Investment Authority (OIA) to establish a USD 700 mn high-efficiency photovoltaic cell facility in the sultanate. The proposed plant — the first PV-cell project for Oman — will have an annual production capacity of 10 GW solar cells, to be rolled out in two 5 GW phases.