Egypt launches solar power plant in Bilbeis

Egypt has started a trial period on Friday for a solar thermal power plant in Bilbeis, about 51 km (32 miles) north east of Cairo.

The plant is for the generation of electricity, desalination, cooling water, and drying services.

Egyptian Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research Ashraf Al-Sheehy and Mahmoud Sakr, Egyptian Plant Biotechnology and President of Academy of Scientific Research and Technology, have inaugurated the plant.

Solar power is the conversion of sunlight into electricity, either directly using photovoltaics, or indirectly using concentrated solar power.

A number of ministers, ambassadors, scientists, and experts from Egypt, Italy, Cyprus, and Jordan also participated in the launching of the Egyptian thermal solar power plant.