- Karm Holding receives an official assignment order from the Governor of South Sinai to build a solar power plant in the Abu Zenima industrial zone.
Major General Dr. Ismail Kamal, Governor of South Sinai, witnessed the signing of a cooperation protocol with Karm Holding to establish an independent solar microgrid for power generation and distribution in the Abu Zenima industrial zone, making it the first industrial zone in Egypt to run entirely on a solar microgrid independent of the national grid. The agreement marks a strategic step toward reviving the industrial zone, which has been stalled since 2017 due to the absence of basic utilities, chief among them electricity.
The protocol was signed during a wide-ranging conference held at the Governorate’s general headquarters in Sharm El-Sheikh, attended by Dr. Inas Samir, Deputy Governor, and Ahmed Zahran, CEO and Co-Founder of Karm Holding, alongside a number of senior executives and specialized engineers from both sides.
Cutting Energy Costs by 30% and Attracting Investment
Ahmed Zahran, CEO of Karm Holding, said the Abu Zenima industrial zone represents a promising, untapped investment opportunity, noting that it had languished for more than nine years due to the absence of utility services, deterring investors despite its prime location.
He added that the new solar plant offers factories an economical and environmentally sustainable solution, expected to deliver savings of up to 30% on energy costs compared with conventional alternatives, a shift that will boost the zone’s competitiveness and encourage the business community to invest in it. He noted that running the zone on a stand-alone solar microgrid positions it as a pioneering model that could later be replicated across other industrial zones in Egypt.
Dr. Inas Samir, Deputy Governor, said the signing crowns a series of preparatory efforts, field visits, and joint feasibility studies to assess the industrial zone’s actual needs. Dr. Karam Moawad, the Governor’s former advisor, also presented the master plan and architectural vision for the zone, designed to ensure optimal use of space and provide factories with a fully integrated working environment.
A Package of Development Projects: Sustainable Tourism and Smart Mobility
Cooperation between the two sides extended beyond the industrial energy sector. The conference also showcased a package of joint development projects, including the revival of the historic Al-Jebail village: Assistant Minister of Culture and architect Hamdy El-Satouhy presented the design and execution vision for transforming the historic village in El-Tor into a sustainable tourism and cultural destination, in partnership with Karm Build. Mahmoud Naaman also presented the vision of Karm Charge, Karm Holding’s electric vehicle charging subsidiary, for rolling out EV Hubs to support green tourism and attract electric vehicle owners to tourist destinations across South Sinai.
At the conclusion of the events, the Governor of South Sinai formally handed the official “assignment order” to Karm Holding to begin immediate implementation, and the two sides exchanged commemorative shields in recognition of the strategic partnership.
The project falls under the Egyptian state’s vision for a transition to a green economy and the development of the Sinai Peninsula. It is expected to result in the reactivation of the Abu Zenima industrial zone, ending its stagnation since 2017, a 30% reduction in energy costs through reliance on clean energy, new industrial investment inflows to the governorate, and the creation of direct and indirect jobs for the people of South Sinai, cementing Abu Zenima’s status as Egypt’s first industrial zone powered entirely by an independent solar microgrid.
Founded in 2011, Karm Holding is a leading company in renewable energy generation and distribution in Egypt. The company has more than 15 years of experience developing and operating sustainable infrastructure projects under a fully integrated business model. Its portfolio of subsidiaries includes Karm Solar, Karm Water, Karm Charge for electric vehicle charging, and Karm Build.
TopicsRENEWABLE ENERGYINDUSTRIALSUSTAINABILITY
