OST joins 2GW Ben Ban crew

Technical advisory outfit OST Energy is to provide lender’s engineering and due diligence services at the 2GW Ben Ban solar project in Egypt.

The company said it will work alongside a number of international development finance groups and independent power producers on the Aswan PV project.

The Ben Ban solar project will cover a 37km2 site and will consist of 36 plots for projects of between 20MW and 50MW.

Installation will begin later this year with the project slated for commissioning at the end of 2017.

OST Energy director Fulvio Mariani said: “Egypt has become one of the most interesting markets for solar development in the MENA region, which has attracted both international renewable energy developers and large local conglomerates.

“The Ben Ban site, once completed, will be the largest solar PV development area in the world, with some of the highest potential solar resources.” 

He added: “However, developers will face a number of challenges due to the harsh environment, and overlapping of several projects under construction at the same time. 

“The definition of appropriate technical requirements for PV plants in these environmental conditions and effective coordination between the developers will be key to the success and timely completion of these projects.”

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