Despite the wave of unrest and change sweeping the Middle East this year, no fewer than three North African states now host integrated solar combined cycle (ISCC) plants that join conventional combined cycle gas turbines with concentrated solar thermal power (CSP) units. Morocco was first, completing its 470 megawatt Ain Beni Mathar ISCC plant, with a 20 MW CSP element, late last year. The plant was built by Spanish Abengoa's Abener unit. Next was Egypt, which commissioned the 150 MW Kuraymat ISCC 90 kilometers south of Cairo in early July, with Algeria hot on its heals, inaugurating the 150 MW Hassi R'Mel ISCC unit in mid-July. Both plants have a 25 MW CSP component, with Egypt's built by a joint venture of Germany's Solar Millennium, Egypt's Orascom and Spain's Iberdrola, and Algeria's built by Abener.
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