ABB has provided several vital technical solutions to deliver electric power reliably and continuously to kickstart the development plan for Toshka’s new agricultural area in the South Valley
A groundbreaking initiative outlined by President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi of Egypt, aims to reclaim an area of more than 2,200 sq km of desert by 2024 in the South Valley of the Toshka area. It will boost agricultural production in accordance with the state’s efforts to encourage investment and create job opportunities through agricultural activity, food manufacturing and associated urban activities.
The development will also establish new and integrate existing communities in parallel to the Nile Valley, but most importantly will greatly support the efforts to assure food security and achieve wheat self-sufficiency for Egypt.
ABB has supplied all medium voltage primary and secondary switchgear, UniGear and UniSec, along with compact substations for the first three phases of the project. The total contract value is US$4.8mn and will guarantee the power supply for irrigation systems and related services stretching across more than 400 sqkm of reclaimed land in the Toshka desert.
“We are proud to be part of this mega project which aims to create sustainable development and a better future for the people of Egypt. We are glad to provide the latest technology for the communities of Toshka which will help them achieve balanced economic success, environmental stewardship and social wellbeing to benefit their present and future,” said Loay Dajani, country managing director, ABB, Egypt.
ABB has also delivered complete solutions to provide reliable, energy-efficient operation for the project’s 57 pumping stations. This included the installation of hundreds of motors, variable speed drives (VSDs) and soft starters. ACQ580 water dedicated VSDs play a critical role by matching the speed and torque of the electric motors to the pumping demand, thereby offering significant energy savings, typically from 30-50% compared to conventional equipment.
ABB has a long-term business relationship with Madkour Group, the main contractor for the project, working across many infrastructure projects across Egypt in the energy and water sectors.
Ahmed El Gazzar, supply chain director, Madkour, said, “The scope of work provided by ABB adds great electrical capabilities to the national grid, supports the development of agricultural infrastructure and provides the latest technologies and support for years to come. This will empower Egyptian mega projects such as Toshka to achieve comprehensive development and provide a decent life and a better future for the Egyptian people.”
The Toshka agricultural project is located near to the Toshka canal and will create an area of more than 2,200 sqkm of cultivated lands (reaching 4,200 sqkm in the future), which will be irrigated with water from local sources including the Nile via the Sheikh Zayed canal.
