DNV appointed Owner's Engineer for landmark 1GW solar + 600 MWH storage project in Egypt

DNV has been selected as Owner’s Engineer for the 1GW Abydos for Renewable Energy (AFRE) solar PV project and its integrated 600MWh battery energy storage system (BESS), located in Benban, Egypt. Developed by AMEA Power, this flagship project will supply 3,100GWh of clean energy to more than 500,000 Egyptian homes and avoid 1.5 million tons of CO₂ emissions annually.

As Owner’s Engineer, DNV is set to support the Abydos 2 project from feasibility and design review through to construction supervision and commissioning oversight. Located in a desert environment, the project faces a range of technical and environmental challenges—from extreme temperatures and dust accumulation to complex grid integration requirements. Drawing on deep technical expertise, global best practices, and local insight, DNV aims to help ensure the project is delivered safely, efficiently, and in line with regulatory expectations. 
 
Headquartered in Dubai, AMEA Power develops, invests in, owns, and operates renewable energy projects across Africa, the Middle East, and emerging Asia. With projects in over 20 countries and a growing pipeline of wind, solar, energy storage, and green hydrogen initiatives, the company is steadily expanding its footprint in support of the global energy transition. The AFRE project reflects AMEA Power’s mission to accelerate energy access and sustainability in fast-growing economies. 
 

Santiago Blanco, DNV
Santiago Blanco, Executive Vice President and Regional Director for the Middle East at DNV

“Projects of this scale demand both technical rigor and regional insight,” said Santiago Blanco, Executive Vice President and Regional Director for the Middle East at DNV. “Our role is to safeguard performance and reliability from day one, helping AMEA Power deliver an asset that is robust, future-ready, and aligned with Egypt’s long-term energy goals.” 

Addressing the complexities of Solar-Plus-Storage in harsh environments 

DNV’s technical support spans three core pillars: 

  • Design resilience: guiding technology selection and plant layout to ensure performance in hot, arid conditions. 
  • Grid compliance: reviewing advanced simulations to meet interconnection codes and maintain system stability. 
  • Battery safety: applying DNV’s globally recognized BESS safety standards for fire prevention, thermal management, and operational integrity. 

A model for emerging markets 

In addition to decarbonizing Egypt’s energy mix, the project is expected to create approximately 4,000 jobs during construction, demonstrating the dual climate and socioeconomic value of solar-plus-storage in emerging markets. 
  
DNV’s advisory services help maximize this value through: 

  • Quality assurance: on-site monitoring to ensure construction quality and minimize delays. 
  • Performance guarantees: testing and validation aligned with international benchmarks. 
  • Knowledge transfer: empowering AMEA Power with best practices for future projects. 

“Large-scale renewable projects like Abydos 2 are essential to delivering on Egypt’s Vision 2035,” concluded Santiago Blanco. “The energy transition is no longer a distant goal—it’s an urgent priority. Our role is to bridge strategy and implementation, helping turn ambition into reality by enabling clean energy systems that are technically sound, financially viable, and built to last for generations.” 

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DNV provides assurance to the entire energy value chain through its advisory, monitoring, verification, and certification services.  As the world's leading resource of independent energy experts and technical advisors, the assurance provider helps industries and governments to navigate the many complex, interrelated transitions taking place globally and regionally, in the energy industry. DNV is committed to realizing the goals of the Paris Agreement, and supports customers to transition faster to a deeply decarbonized energy system.