Abu Dhabi’s IHC eyes pioneering solar irrigation system in Egypt
Abu Dhabi-based International Holding Company is building a pioneering solar-powered irrigation system to drive increased energy-efficient agricultural production in Egypt, through its subsidiary, Al Hashemeya Company for Land Reclamation and Cultivation.
Al Hashemeya has invested AED1.5 million ($408,280) in setting up the pilot project, which is made of six wells spread over 500 acres, using photovoltaic system to help pump water onto 10,000 acres of farmland in the Wadi Al Natroun region of northern Egypt.
Over the next five years, the company aims to pump around AED20 million into the project for operating more than 80 wells, drawing around 75% of the total power needed from solar energy.
IFC Food CEO Mamoon Othman said: “Our project in Egypt is demonstrating what can be achieved across the country and the wider region to rapidly advance the agriculture sector, which is key to increasing exports.”
“Solar is a reliable and cost-effective source of energy in this environment, and its deployment for irrigation is increasing crop yields and enhancing competitiveness. We see a bright future for the sector if this project can be replicated widely,” stated Othman.
The initiative, which is designed to be replicated across the country, aims to increase production of fruit and vegetables for export, create skilled jobs in a modernized agriculture sector, and optimise energy and water resources, he noted.
The system will steadily increase generation capacity to 17 MW to provide 75% of the farm’s total energy needs at less than half the cost of electricity from the national grid, he added
Source: tradearabia
