Name of the Project
Sukari solar plant.

Location
Eastern Desert, Egypt.

Project Owner/s
Mining company Centamin.

Project Description
The Sukari solar plant will be the biggest hybrid solar project at an off-grid mining operation.

The project involves the construction of a 36 MW solar farm and 7.5 MW battery-energy storage system at the Sukari gold mine.

The project is expected to reduce diesel fuel oil consumption by more than 22-million litres a year and lower carbon dioxide emissions by more than 60 000 t/y. It will also reduce operating costs and increase reliability of the power system.

Potential Job Creation
Not stated.

Capital Expenditure
$37-million.

Planned Start/End Date
The project is scheduled to be commissioned late in the first half of 2022.

Latest Developments
Centamin commissioned its Sukari solar PV plant during the fourth quarter of last year, resulting in immediate cost savings and reductions in carbon emissions, CEO Martin Horgan has said.

At the release of the company’s report for the quarter ended December 31, 2022, on January 19, he noted that the commissioning of the solar plant would result in a potential cost saving of up to $20-million a year at current fuel prices.

Centamin’s total capital expenditure (capex) for the year ended December 31, 2022, was $224.3-million, which included spending on the solar plant, in addition to the construction of a paste plant, which Horgan has said is on track for commissioning in the first half of 2024.

Key Contracts, Suppliers and Consultants
Giza Systems (installation of the Sukari solar plant); and juwi (design, supply and integration of the Sukari solar and battery plant into the current diesel power plant).

Contact Details for Project Information
Centamin, tel +44 1534 828700 or info@centamin.com.