The Koraymat solar energy site, 100km south of Cairo, is Egypt's first solar power plant

(Photo: Bassam Al-Zoghby/ ENPI Info Centre)

Workers on the Koraymat solar energy site install the structure of 130,000 mobile mirrors. Like sunflowers, the mirrors rotate to capture the full force of the sun

(Photo: Bassam Al-Zoghby/ ENPI Info Centre)

Workers on the Koraymat solar energy site outside Cairo: the concentrator mirrors turn automatically to focus the sun’s rays upon a single point until the viscous liquid that fills the pipe at the centre of the mirror reaches a temperature of 400°C

The Koraymat solar power plant, south of the Egyptian capital, is designed to produce a total of 140 MW and will be connected to the electricity grid

The Koraymat solar energy site south of Cairo: the EU funds several projects aiming to facilitate regional energy dialogue with a view to integrating energy markets and moving towards sustainable and clean energy

The Koraymat solar energy site outside Cairo: solar energy is seen as key to the energy future of the Mediterranean region

(Photo: Bassam Al-Zoghby/ ENPI Info Centre)

The Koraymat solar energy site: Egypt is seeking to become a regional leader on the renewable energy market

(Photo: Bassam Al-Zoghby/ ENPI Info Centre)

The Koraymat solar energy site: by ratifying the Kyoto Protocol, Egypt undertook to meet 20% of electricity demand with renewable energy

(Photo: Bassam Al-Zoghby/ ENPI Info Centre)

The Koraymat solar energy site: by signing a memorandum of understanding with the EU in 2008, Egypt must undertake energy reforms that are vital for the creation of a Euro-Mediterranean energy market

(Photo: Bassam Al-Zoghby/ ENPI Info Centre)

The Koraymat solar energy site south of Cairo: the EU funds several projects aiming to facilitate regional energy dialogue with a view to integrating energy markets and moving towards sustainable and clean energy

(Photo: Bassam Al-Zoghby/ ENPI Info Centre)

The Koraymat solar energy site: Egypt was one of 75 countries to sign the founding treaty of the International Renewable Energy Agency (Irena), designed to encourage a rapid global transition to renewable energy

(Photo: Bassam Al-Zoghby/ ENPI Info Centre)

The Koraymat solar energy site, south of Cairo: Egypt wants to become a regional energy centre, an electricity corridor in Africa, according to Hafez El-Salmawy, head of the national energy regulator, ERA

(Photo: Bassam Al-Zoghby/ ENPI Info Centre)

Mohamed Al-Dessouqui, who works on the Koraymat solar power project, is optimistic about the prospects for the $250 million dollar project

(Photo: Bassam Al-Zoghby/ ENPI Info Centre)

The Koraymat solar project in Béni Séouf, 100km south of Cairo, is the first of its kind in Africa or the Middle East

(Photo: Bassam Al-Zoghby/ ENPI Info Centre)