Egypt: Benban Solar-01

Date Filed
08 Jun 2022
Status
Open
Phase
Dispute Resolution (DR)
Country
Egypt, Arab Republic of

Case Tracker

Eligibility
June 08, 2022-July 22, 2022
Eligibility
Assessment
July 23, 2022-February 01, 2023
Assessment
Dispute Resolution
Mediation
Status as of February 01, 2023
Compliance
CURRENT Status
Mediation (DISPUTE RESOLUTION)
Status as of February 01, 2023

Complaint Overview

Complainant

Sixty-two security guards employed by Benban Solar Park. 

Concerns

Poor working conditions (related to the quality of food provided, insufficient water, lack of working electricity generators, lack of air conditioning on buses) and compensation issues.

Cross-Cutting Issues
Labor

Project Information

Region
Africa
Institution
IFC/MIGA
Name & Number
Benban Solar Park Projects - 37633, 40386, 40390, 37636, 37637, 39728, 37580, 40019, 37713, 37591, 39995, 39997, 39729 (IFC) 14043, 14059, 14080, 14516, 14517, 14518, 14519, 14520, 14521, 13956, 13952, 13971 (MIGA)
Company
Benban Solar Park
Sector
Infrastructure
Department
Infrastructure
Category
B
Commitment

From IFC, $225 million. 

Synopsis

Project Overview

The Benban Solar Park is a 36 square-kilometer area composed of 32 operational energy-generating power plants that are operated by different companies near the village of Benban in Egypt.

IFC leads a consortium of nine international banks, providing a debt package totaling $653 million—of which $225 million is financed by IFC. This capital supports the construction of 14 of the 41 solar power plants that make up the Benban Solar Park.

MIGA has 12 active guarantees for projects in the Benban Solar Park. Of these 12 projects, three are financed by the IFC-led consortium, and nine by a consortium led by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD).

Complaint

CAO received the complaint on June 8, 2022. The complaint raised concerns about poor working conditions, specifically regarding the quality of food provided, insufficient water, lack of working electricity generators despite hot temperatures, lack of air conditioning on buses used for transportation, and compensation practices.

CAO Action

CAO received the complaint on June 8, 2022. After undergoing a review for eligibility, the case was found eligible for assessment on July 22, 2022. During the assessment process, the complainant and the Benban Solar Park representatives agreed to engage in a voluntary CAO dispute resolution process to address the issues raised in the complaint. In accordance with the CAO Policy, the case will now be handled by CAO’s Dispute Resolution function.

The assessment report is available in English and Arabic in the "Case Documents" section below. 

Status

The dispute resolution process is ongoing. 

Status as of February 09, 2024

Case Documents

  • Assessment

    Assessment Report
    CAO Assessment Report - Egypt Benban 01
    Feb 01, 2023
    English
    CAO Assessment Report - Egypt Benban 01
    CAO Assessment Report - Egypt Benban 01 (Arabic)
    Feb 01, 2023
    Arabic - اَلْعَرَبِيَّةُ
    CAO Assessment Report - Egypt Benban 01 (Arabic)
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