Vestas Wind Systems A/S has confirmed that the construction of a 250-MW wind park in the Gulf of Suez, Egypt, is on track and progressing as planned. The response comes in light of recent media reports suggesting the imminent launch of trial operations at the facility.
Over the weekend, Al Arabiya Business reported that the testing phase of the wind park is expected to span three weeks. Following successful trials, the wind park will transition into commercial operation. Subsequently, the project will be handed over to Egypt's New and Renewable Energy Authority (NREA) in the middle of the next month, as reported by the business news outlet, citing sources from Vestas.
While Vestas did not explicitly confirm these details, in accordance with their policy of not commenting on intermediate milestones, the company's spokesperson emphasized that “the project is progressing as planned and we'll announce when the wind farm is fully operational.”
The Gulf of Suez 1 wind project, under this comprehensive plan, is slated for full operation in 2023. This ambitious endeavor involves Vestas, the Danish wind turbine manufacturer, which secured the Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) contract to supply and install 70 V105-3.45 MW wind turbines in their 3.6 MW power-optimized mode for the Gulf of Suez 1 wind project back in 2020. Upon reaching full operation, the wind farm is projected to generate a substantial 1,027 GWh of clean energy annually.
The project, with an estimated investment cost of EUR 250 million (USD 268.5 million), is co-financed through a collaborative effort involving Egypt and European partners. Key contributors include the French Development Agency, the European Union, the European Investment Bank (EIB), and the German development bank KfW. This multinational partnership underscores the global commitment to fostering sustainable and renewable energy solutions, marking a significant step towards a cleaner and more environmentally responsible future for Egypt.