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- Implement solar “umbrella” on parking lots and bus stations. This would be particularly appropriate for parking
lots close to the harbour. They will offer a valuable shade for people and cars, and would be used to power
lighting and equipment in diving centres and harbour facilities, and
- Promote small scale units for households.
There are other projects in development as part of the new Government of Egypt’s Feed-in-Tariff (FiT) program launched
in late 2014 for both solar and wind.
Solar PV for residents and private owners
The plan would be to develop solar PV units in every possible place, inviting inhabitants to contribute to this
development. Through this process city residents will benefit of additional income after the payback period and will
become energy producers, as well as being energy consumers. The City of Hurghada could set up a revolving fund to
support this development.
Different options could be proposed to develop this process:
- The City of Hurghada proposes residents to invest and install 5 kW units on their roof. The electricity produced
goes to the electric utility. When the total value of electricity produced matches the initial investment, the PV
unit ownership gets transferred to the residents, who will then receive income from the electricity sold to the
utility. In this system the financial balance remains the same for the City / Utility. It covers the initial investment
and receives in return electricity, which will not be bought from other sources, generating an economy equivalent
to the initial investment. When the PV unit gets transferred to the resident, it buys electricity from him and not
from an outside source,
- The City of Hurghada invites residents to share the investment. In that case, the residents will cover part of the
investment and will benefit a shorter period before getting revenues from the solar PV production. The overall
economy of the system remains the same. However, one can consider that sharing the investment with residents
will push them to get more ownership on the energy issue and then be more conscious of the benefit of working
for energy conservation and efficiency along with developing their own production, and
- The City of Hurghada passes a deal with a bank that will offer attractive loans to residents. Residents benefiting
from the loan, cover 100% of the investment. The City utility offers its guarantee to secure the loan and commits
to buy all the electricity produced. This mechanism could allow for the faster development of PV units.
As solar PVs seem to be booming in Egypt, it is key for the City of Hurghada to ensure that this boom not only benefits
big foreign investors but also contribute to the solar energy take off in all sectors of the society, as this form of energy
that can be developed in many different types, from large scale units to individual small-scale production capacities.
4.3.2. Solar heating
Solar heating could be widely used for covering the households’ needs and tourism sector’s heat consumption (for
sanitary water and swimming pools). Solar heating could also be used in some industries, shops, restaurants, etc. that
require hot water. Modern equipment is allowing for very good performance to match specific industrial needs.
This component of the plan could then:
- Raise awareness in all sectors on the expected benefits of this technology;
- Identify the specific needs of individuals, tourism operators, and industry related to heat and hot water
requirements;
- Identify technical solutions to match these needs with solar heating devices; and
- Develop pilot projects to promote these new production capacities.
Solar heating is a simple technology than can easily be developed with the support of local technicians producing solar
water heaters in small workshops, stimulating the economy and creating jobs.
The role of the Governorate would be to promote the technology, develop show case projects in its own buildings, value
initial investment and reward the most remarkable realisations.
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