Egypt Edition 
UAE Edition 
Saudi Edition 
MENA <> India Corridor 
Logistics (MENA) 
Climate (MENA) 
Share
Read Full Issue 
It was a busy Wednesday at the cabinet, with ministers approving a slew of decisions. Among the most notable are:
#1- Fast tracking AMEA’s Benban solar plant: UAE’s AMEA Power will receive a golden license for its 1 GW solar power plant with 600 MWh battery storage system in Benban after the cabinet approved the move. The project will see investments of USD 850 mn and will be carried out across two phases, the first will start operations next August and see 300 MW of power and half the battery storage capacity come online and the second will kick off operations in April.
Remember: AMEA inked the purchase power agreement for the project with the Egyptian Electricity Transmission Company in September. The project is expected to be the continent’s largest.
AMEA has been keeping busy: The firm is working to set up a USD 600 mn, 5 GW wind power project in the Gulf of Suez in cooperation with the Egyptian Electricity Transmission Company and the New and Renewable Energy Authority. And earlier this month, it inaugurated its 500 MW Abydos solar plant in Kom Ombo.
#2- Expanding the scope of those receiving funding for retrofitting and purchasing green vehicles: The cabinet a draft law amending the Traffic Law to include expand the list of those eligible for financing under the fund granting support to those who purchase green vehicles to include those retrofitting vehicles — only those manufactured in the past 20 years — to run on clean energy as well as for purchasing eco-friendly vehicles.
#3- Cabinet approves NUCA’s 80% rule: The cabinet has approved the New Urban Communities Authority’s (NUCA) practice of considering any project completed so long as 80% of it has been constructed as long as all financial dues must be settled and the project meets safety standards.
#4- The cabinet has approved a draft presidential decision to form the Egyptian-Saudi Supreme Coordination Council. The council was announced in October and will be chaired by President Abdel Fattah El Sisi and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman.
#5- Land allocation for silos: Ministers approved the allocation of land in Luxor, Assiut, and New Valley governorates for the establishment of grain silos.
