Plizio Visual Lab

Gabal el-Zait Wind Farm

Plizio editorial teamUpdated: Jun 2026Data Sources

Industrial site

Weather…

The Gabal el-Zait Wind Farm, located on the Red Sea coast, is one of the largest wind energy projects in the Middle East and North Africa. Thanks to the consistent and high-velocity winds along the Gulf of Suez, this location provides handy conditions for harnessing wind power. The facility spans a vast area of approximately 100 square kilometers and features hundreds of modern wind turbines with a total capacity of 580 megawatts. Developed in cooperation with international partners such as JICA and KfW, the project aims to decrease Egypt's reliance on fossil fuels. A unique aspect of the wind farm is its integrated bird protection system, which accounts for the migration routes of millions of birds that pass through the region annually. Gabal el-Zait stands as a symbol of ecological responsibility and the successful diversification of Egypt's national energy mix in the 21st century.

Location: Egypt
Nearby: El Tor (31 km)

Best time to visit & climate

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

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Avg °C	17	18	20	24	27	29	31	31	29	27	23	19
Rain mm	2	2	3	1	0	0	0	0	0	1	1	1

📋 Practical info

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What is this place?

The Gabal el-Zait Wind Farm is one of the Middle East's largest wind energy installations, strategically located on the Gulf of Suez to harness strong coastal winds. It plays a crucial role in Egypt's renewable energy transition and reduces reliance on fossil fuels.

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Visiting

The wind farm is not open to the public for safety reasons, but its towering turbines are clearly visible from the surrounding desert roads. A distant external view is possible from the coastal highway that runs along the Gulf of Suez.

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Where to view it

The best public viewpoint is from the main coastal road (Route 25) that passes near the farm, offering panoramic views of the turbines against the desert and sea backdrop. Another option is from the beach areas south of Ras Gharib, though access may be restricted.

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Local products

The primary 'product' is clean electricity fed into the national grid; there are no consumer goods sold on site. Travelers might encounter local handicrafts or snacks from roadside vendors in nearby towns.

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Active season

Wind turbines operate year-round, but the strongest and most consistent winds occur from November to March, making this period well-suited for observing them in action. Maintenance activities typically happen during calmer summer months.

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Nearby

Combine a visit with the nearby resort town of Ras Gharib for Red Sea beaches and diving spots. Also consider the El Gouna area further south for a contrast between industrial energy and leisure.

Geography

Coordinates

27.91580, 33.56580

Facts

Total installed capacity of the wind farm is 580 megawatts.
The site features approximately 300 turbines across 100 square kilometers.
Average wind speeds at the location are recorded at 10.5 meters per second.
Funding was provided through cooperation with JICA (Japan) and KfW (Germany).
An advanced radar system automatically shuts down turbines during bird migration.
The facility provides clean energy to an estimated 500,000 Egyptian homes.