Abu Dhabi – Mubasher: Abu Dhabi-based International Holdings Company (IHC) is constructing a solar-powered irrigation system at a total value of AED 1.5 million (EGP 6.4 million) to raise energy-efficient agricultural production in Egypt.

Being built by Al Hashemeya Company for Land Reclamation and Cultivation, IHC's subsidiary, the project consists of six wells spanning over 500 acres, according to a press release on Thursday.

The irrigation system uses a photovoltaic system to help pump water onto 10,000 acres (4,050 hectares) of farmland in the Wadi Al-Natroun region of northern Egypt

Al Hashemeya seeks to invest AED 20 million in operating over 80 wells over the next five years, to generate 75% of the total power needed from solar energy.

The CEO of IHC Food, Mamoon Othman, said: "IHC’s project in Egypt is demonstrating what can be achieved across the country and the wider region to rapidly advance the agriculture sector, which is key to increasing exports."

Othman added: "The system will steadily increase generation capacity to 17 MW to provide 75% of the farm’s total energy needs at less than half the cost of electricity from the national grid."