Ras Ghareb Wind Energy Project

The Ras Ghareb Wind Energy project is a large-scale, grid-connected wind farm located in the Gulf of Suez region of Egypt, an area known for its excellent wind resources. With an installed capacity of 262.5 MW, the project consists of 125 wind turbines, each with a capacity of 2.1 MW. Developed by the Ras Ghareb Wind Energy S.A.E. consortium, the facility generates clean electricity that is sold to the Egyptian Electricity Transmission Company (EETC) and fed into the national grid, displacing power that would otherwise be generated by fossil fuel-dominated power plants. The project is a voluntary initiative designed to support Egypt's sustainable development goals and its strategy to increase the share of renewable energy in its power mix. Environmental Benefits: The primary environmental benefit of the project is the significant reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, with an estimated annual average of 730,788 tonnes of CO2e. By generating over 1,379,000 MWh of clean electricity annually, the project directly substitutes GHG-intensive thermal power generation, contributing to cleaner air and mitigating climate change. This helps Egypt conserve its natural gas and fuel oil reserves that would otherwise be used for power generation. Furthermore, the project has implemented robust mitigation measures to protect local biodiversity, including an "Active Turbine Management Program" that involves shutting down turbines during bird migration seasons to protect endangered species. Social and Community Benefits: The project delivers tangible benefits to the local community of Ras Ghareb. A key social initiative is an annual scholarship program designed to support students from local schools pursuing university or higher education, thereby contributing to quality education (SDG 4). During the monitoring period from August 2022 to March 2024, the project granted 23 scholarships. The project also creates local employment opportunities, hiring residents for roles in site security and engaging with the local Bedouin community through a formal engagement plan. RGWE actively engages with stakeholders through annual plans and feedback reports, supporting various community needs such as health awareness campaigns, sponsoring school competitions, and rehabilitating community infrastructure like a public nursery.