Aug 24 2010
Virasa Technologies and Calensia BV have announced the formation of a new company SilicoTek BV during February this year to enable them to complete their intended investment in an all-inclusive solar complex in the city of Suez in Egypt.
The complex is expected to have Polysilicon and Monosilane manufacturing units with a yearly capacity of 2500 and 600 TPA and a solar module manufacturing unit with a yearly capacity of 50 MW.
The plant, first of its kind to be built in an industrial zone located North-West of the Gulf of Suez will cover an area of 210,000 m2. The venture is planning to reserve an additional area of 110,000 m2 in the neighborhood for making investments on solar value products that can compliment the planned production. The construction of the plant is expected to be completed during 2012 to start its operations from the fourth quarter of the year. The plant is expected to incorporate the technology utilized in Virasa for which exclusive rights have been granted to SilicoTek. Both the companies are expected to build an Research and Development center exclusively for the development and commercial demonstration of latest silicon based solar technologies. This project will signify the primary operation of this advanced technology in the Middle East and Africa after three highly successful operations in Asia The production of Silane and Polysilicon in the plant will enable Egypt to join the select band of countries all over the world engaged in such production and will serve as a platform for further Solar and Electronic industry investments.
On completion, the planned production facility will generate around 480 direct jobs in addition to more than 1000 indirect jobs in various sectors created to support the plant construction. During the construction stage the plant will create around 2000 job opportunities related to construction.