Clean energy leads agriculture in Aswan.. Al-Zahraa solar power station to serve 480 acres
Clean energy projectsrepresent one of the most important entry points for comprehensive development transformation, especially in sectors related to food and water security. In this context, Aswan Governorate stands out as a practical model for integrating solar energy into the service of agriculture, through the operation of combined irrigation units based on clean and sustainable sources, which contributes to reducing production costs, improving the efficiency of resource use, and supporting small farmers in rural and rural areas. Reclamation.
This trend reflects the state’s commitment to achieving comprehensive Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially the goal related to providing clean and affordable energy, climate action, eliminating poverty, and enhancing food security, in addition to supporting quality education and human development. These projects represent a model of integrated development that links the social, economic and environmental dimensions, and contribute to improving the quality of life and building more sustainable and resilient agricultural communities.
From this standpoint, Dr. Rania Al-Mashat, Minister of Planning, Economic Development and International Cooperation, and Mr. Alaa Farouk, Minister of Agriculture and Land Reclamation, with the participation of Major General Ismail Kamal, Governor of Aswan, inspected the Al-Zahraa solar power station to serve combined irrigation units in the village of Shahama, as part of the inspection tour of Aswan Governorate, which includes inspecting a number of development projects and the activities of the Sustainable Agricultural Investments and Livelihoods Project.
Al-Zahraa solar power station serves 480 acres, and it is one of 17 solar power stations serving the Sa’ida Valley region, which are the Nile Valley station, Al-Ashraf station 1, Al-Ashraf station 2, Al-Nidal, and Al-Shahama/Al-Mustaqbal/Al-Ashraf stations (12 stations), and the 17 stations serve 3,528 acres.
Delivery of 8 modern agricultural equipment to small farmers
As part of the state’s interest in empowering small farmers, the tour included a ceremony to hand over 8 modern agricultural equipment to a number of small farmers in the region, with in-kind support to enhance their production capabilities, as the ministers were keen to talk to the farmers and encourage them to expand the use of modern agricultural technology, stressing that the state places empowering small farmers at the top of its priorities, by providing the necessary tools that ensure reducing loss and raising the quality of crops, in order to achieve a better economic return for rural families in the “Decent Life” villages.
For her part, Dr. Rania Al-Mashat indicated that the expansion of the use of clean energy units to serve combined irrigation units reflects the state’s trend towards supporting small farmers and reducing production burdens on them, by reducing reliance on high-cost traditional energy sources, which contributes to achieving stability in the agricultural process and improving the efficiency of irrigation systems, especially in rural areas of Upper Egypt.
Rationalizing water consumption and reducing electricity costs
The Minister added that expanding reliance on solar energy to operate combined irrigation units represents one of the main axes for achieving the goal of clean energy at affordable prices, as it contributes to reducing reliance on traditional high-emission energy sources, reduces operational costs, and supports the transition to more efficient irrigation systems. She also stressed that this trend enhances the rationalization of the use of natural resources, especially water, in line with the goals of environmental sustainability and climate action.
She stressed that these projects are integrated with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) related to eradicating poverty, enhancing food security, and improving livelihoods, as they are directly reflected in increasing agricultural productivity and improving the income of small farmers. She added that providing clean and sustainable energy and irrigation solutions supports building more resilient agricultural communities, and contributes to achieving balanced economic and social development in rural and reclamation areas.
In general, this development model that Aswan Governorate is witnessing reflects a qualitative shift in the philosophy of agricultural resource management, based on the conscious integration of clean energy, sustainable agriculture, and human development. Solar energy projects to serve combined irrigation units are a strategic approach to achieving efficient water use, reducing emissions, and improving the income of small farmers, thus enhancing the sustainability of the agricultural sector and its ability to withstand climate change.
The Earth Guards Foundation confirms the extent of interconnection between these efforts and achieving comprehensive Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially the goals of clean energy, climate action, eliminating poverty, promoting food security and quality education, as the social, economic and environmental development dimensions are integrated within a single development framework that places people at the heart of the development process and confirms that investing in sustainable solutions represents a path Practically to achieve balanced and comprehensive development in Upper Egypt and the reclamation areas.
