In October 2021, VOA Learning English, adapting a Reuters report, wrote that Egypt was offering private companies financial support to build 17 new desalination plants within five years. Powered by solar energy, they were to supply about 2.8 million m³ a day, compared with roughly 800,000 m³ at the time. The state would buy the water and resell it more cheaply, said Ayman Soliman, head of the government investment fund. The fund targeted 6.4 million m³ a day by 2050. Solar firm KarmSolar announced plans to bid.
The report showed that Egypt planned to finance its desalination expansion through private investors, state purchase commitments and solar power. The fund expected this to cut costs by 20 to 25 percent.
Source: VOA Learning English