Benbanꞌs Solar PV Park in Aswan, Egypt: A Study in New Institutional Economic Geography

The study aims are analyzing institutional organization , technical, and spatial characteristics of solar park institutions, discussing social and cultural ties and relations between institutions, clarifying the role of institutions in local and regional development, identifying risks face, and Proposing an integrated spatial plan for a benban PV solar park complex( Grand Benban).

Institutional Approach one of the new Approaches in economic geography that focuses on the social framework of economic life and the role of institutions in the formation and synthesis of economic action and the organization of economic relations of the institutional environment between markets, companies, local authorities, and trade unions.
The study of institutional characteristics concluded that there is a strong and tight institutional organization that includes developers, operating and maintenance companies, and sub-contractors for cleaning and security works. A strong and tight institutional organization due to Division of work, maximizing specialization, hierarchy of administrative organization, and participation of companies with global expertise in the field of solar energy such as Norway, Spain, France, Italy, India and China.
The study of institutional thickness concluded that it is weak due to the weakness of the local content of solar panels, inverters, transformers, etc. The social embeddedness of Benban companies is still in the stage of evolution and formation; it may reach the stage of maturity, if the electronic industries and research & development become localized in Egypt.