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Benban Solar Park

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Benban Solar Park (Egypt)

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The Benban Solar Park near Aswan is one of the world's largest photovoltaic projects and a centerpiece of Egypt's renewable energy strategy. Spanning an area of roughly 37 square kilometers in the Western Desert, the park consists of 41 individual solar power plants. With a total capacity of approximately 1.8 gigawatts, the facility significantly helps Egypt move toward its goal of sourcing 42% of its electricity from clean energy by 2035. The project was realized through extensive international cooperation, with financing from organizations such as the World Bank and the EBRD. The region's climatic conditions offer some of the highest solar irradiation rates in the world, making Benban an exceptionally efficient site. In addition to offsetting two million tons of CO2 annually, the park has created thousands of jobs and established Egypt as a regional leader in the global energy transition.

Best time to visit & climate

The most pleasant time to visit is Mar, Apr, Nov.

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Avg °C141621253032333331272016
Rain mm100000000000

📋 Practical info

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What is this place?
The Benban Solar Park near Aswan is one of the largest solar parks in the world. It supplies clean energy to Egypt and is a flagship project for renewable energy in North Africa.
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Visiting
The solar park is a fenced industrial site and usually not open to the public. From the surrounding roads and hills, large sections of the solar panel fields are visible.
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Where to view it
The best view is from a hill east of the facility, overlooking the entire sea of solar panels. From the desert road between Aswan and Sudan, you also have a good distant view.
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Local products
The solar park generates electricity, which cannot be purchased directly. Travellers can, however, buy typical local products in Aswan such as dates, hibiscus, and pottery in the souks.
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Active season
Peak electricity production occurs during the sunny summer months from May to August. The facility operates year-round, with maintenance work in the cooler winter months.
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Nearby
Combine the visit with the famous Philae Temple and the Aswan Dam. A Nile cruise or a trip to the Nubian Museum in Aswan are also recommended.

Geography

Coordinates
24.45330, 32.73140

Facts

  • The park covers a total land area of 37.2 square kilometers.
  • Total installed capacity reaches approximately 1.8 gigawatts.
  • The project comprises 41 separate solar plants within one complex.
  • Offsets approximately 2 million tons of carbon dioxide emissions annually.
  • Total investment for the project was approximately 4 billion USD.
  • The facility is clearly visible from space due to its massive scale.

Explore nearby

Notable places around

Kom Ombo TempleKom Ombo Temple22 km · NExplore →
Elephantine Island ParkElephantine Island Park38 km · NWExplore →
Gabal el-HoshGabal el-Hosh39 km · EExplore →
Philae TemplePhilae Temple43 km · NWExplore →
Aswan High DamAswan High Dam48 km · WExplore →
Temple of KalabshaTemple of Kalabsha48 km · WExplore →
Edfu TempleEdfu Temple52 km · EExplore →
TobrukTobruk85 km · SWExplore →

Route planner — Car & Motorhome

Where do you start? We build the route here, with stops and country notes along the way.

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Only stops with (optional):

© OpenStreetMap contributors · OpenRouteService

Sights nearby

Frequently asked questions

How big is the Benban Solar Park?
It is one of the largest in the world, covering an area of about 37 square kilometers.
Where is it located?
About 40 km northwest of Aswan in the Western Desert.
Can you visit the park?
It is visible from the road to Abu Simbel; internal visits require prior permission.
Why was this location chosen?
Because of the exceptionally high solar radiation in this region.
What is the goal of the project?
To massively increase the share of renewable energy in Egypt's power mix.
Benban Solar Park: where is it located?
Benban Solar Park is located in Egypt.
Benban Solar Park: when is the best time to visit?
The most pleasant time to visit is Mar, Apr, Nov.
Benban Solar Park: why is it worth visiting?
The Benban Solar Park near Aswan is one of the world's largest photovoltaic projects and a centerpiece of Egypt's renewable energy strategy.
View on map → The Top 50 Attractions → OpenStreetMap →
Africa
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Nearby cities

Aswan — Benban Solar Park (Egypt)
Aswan
The sunniest city in southern Egypt, rich in Nubian culture.
Idfu — Benban Solar Park (Egypt)
Idfu
An Upper Egyptian city famous for its exceptionally well-preserved temple.
Lake Nasser — Benban Solar Park (Egypt)
Lake Nasser
Lake Nasser is one of the world's largest artificial lakes, created by the Aswan High Dam and surrounded by relocated ancient Nubian monu…

History & landmarks

Nubian Museum — Benban Solar Park (Egypt)
Nubian Museum
An archaeological museum located in Aswan dedicated to the history and culture of the Nubian people.
Aswan High Dam — Benban Solar Park (Egypt)
Aswan High Dam
A monumental rock-fill dam built across the Nile in Aswan, creating Lake Nasser and controlling the river's annual flooding.

Nature

Lake Nasser — Benban Solar Park (Egypt)
Lake Nasser
A massive reservoir in southern Egypt.

More places

Kom Ombo Temple — Benban Solar Park (Egypt)
Kom Ombo Temple
An unusual double temple dedicated to the crocodile god Sobek and the falcon god Haroeris.
Elephantine Island Park — Benban Solar Park (Egypt)
Elephantine Island Park
A peaceful park on a historic Nile island.
Kitchener's Island Botanical Garden — Benban Solar Park (Egypt)
Kitchener's Island Botanical Garden
A lush garden on a Nile island in Aswan.
Philae Temple — Benban Solar Park (Egypt)
Philae Temple
A temple complex on an island in the reservoir of the Aswan Low Dam, dedicated to the goddess Isis.
Aswan Dam Hydroelectric Plant — Benban Solar Park (Egypt)
Aswan Dam Hydroelectric Plant
A massive hydroelectric plant at the Aswan Dam generating a large portion of Egypt's electricity.
Temple of Kalabsha — Benban Solar Park (Egypt)
Temple of Kalabsha
An ancient Egyptian temple that was originally located at Bab al-Kalabsha and moved due to the dam.
Edfu Temple — Benban Solar Park (Egypt)
Edfu Temple
One of the best preserved shrines in Egypt, dedicated to the falcon god Horus.
Abu Simbel Temples — Benban Solar Park (Egypt)
Abu Simbel Temples
Two massive rock temples in Nubia, carved out of the mountainside during the reign of Ramesses II.