Emirati investment firm Kazar has announced plans for a $2.5 billion hybrid renewable energy station in Egypt’s Zafarana region, reports Asharq Business. Developed in partnership with the Egyptian government, the project will deliver a 3.1-gigawatt capacity, combining 2 gigawatts of solar energy with 1.1 gigawatts of wind energy.

Kazar will execute the project under the build-operate-own (BOO) model, overseeing its construction and operation. The state-owned Egyptian Electricity Transmission Company (EETC) has committed to purchasing the energy produced by the station.

The new hybrid renewable energy facility will replace the aging Zafarana Wind Farm, once one of Africa’s largest. Spanning 120 square kilometers, the site housed 700 turbines and generated 545 megawatts of electricity but has now reached the end of its operational lifespan.

Egypt has made significant strides in expanding its renewable energy sector, with a total renewable energy capacity of 22.8 GW across wind, solar, and hydro sources, spanning operational, under-construction, and contracted projects.

During the Ordinary General Assembly of the Egyptian Electricity Transmission Company (EETC) earlier this week, Chairperson Mona Rizq emphasized efforts to strengthen power interconnectivity with neighboring countries, including Jordan, Libya, and Sudan. She also outlined plans to establish energy links with Saudi Arabia, Cyprus, the GCC, Greece, and Italy, to position Egypt as a regional energy hub.