PV Companies Gradually Enter the Middle East and Africa; EliTe Solar Is Expected to Build 8GW of PV Capacity in Egypt [SMM Analysis]

Singapore-based PV manufacturer EliTe Solar is constructing a solar cell production plant in the TEDA Suez Economic and Trade Cooperation Zone in Egypt, managed by the Suez Canal Economic Zone (SCZONE). The plant is expected to commence operations in September 2025, with a designed capacity of 5 GW, including 2 GW of solar cells and 3 GW of PV modules. The project is anticipated to boost the local economy and help Egypt achieve its 2030 renewable energy target of 42% clean energy.

EliTe Solar previously announced plans to establish a total manufacturing capacity exceeding 8 GW in Egypt, with this 2 GW solar cell plant being the first project. The manufacturing base is located near Suez City in north-east Egypt, covering an area of 78,000 m². Headquartered in Singapore, EliTe Solar also operates manufacturing facilities in Vietnam, Indonesia, and the Middle East. The company’s annual capacities for silicon wafers, solar cells, and PV modules are 6 GW, 7 GW, and 5 GW, respectively.

Recently, several PV manufacturers have been exploring PV capacity expansion in the Middle East and Africa region:

1. JA Solar Technology will collaborate with local Egyptian enterprises to construct a 2 GW solar cell plant and a 2 GW PV module plant. The solar cell plant will cost $138 million, while the module plant will cost $75 million.
2. JA Solar Technology is expected to establish a 9 GW high-efficiency solar cell and module manufacturing plant in Oman, with 6 GW of solar cell capacity and 3 GW of module capacity. The project is estimated to require an investment of 3.96 billion yuan ($542 million).
3. Drinda announced plans to build 5 GW of N-type solar cell capacity in Oman. Drinda will produce solar cells through JPTV and is expected to commence commercial operations at the Oman plant in 2025.
4. Q-SUN has established a joint venture in the Sohar Free Zone to produce 8 GW of PV modules and 2 GW of solar cells. The plant, located in the Sohar Free Trade Zone, will manufacture TOPCON and heterojunction (HJT) modules.
5. Gstar will undertake a 2 GW PV module manufacturing project in the UAE, focusing on high-efficiency N-type technology modules, with construction starting in November.