Orascom Construction (OC) announced it has completed a Multipurpose Applications by Thermodynamic Solar (MATS) plant in Borg El Arab in Alexandria, which we noted yesterday the Electricity Minister had inaugurated on Tuesday. “The MATS plant is comprised of an integrated concentrated solar power (CSP) and water desalination facility with a capacity that can serve a community of 1000 people in a desert area. The plant is the first of its kind in the world that features this level of environmental friendliness, easy management and flexibility of operations.” The project was co-funded by the European Union and led by a consortium of 11 partners. OC participated in the project’s funding and the plant’s construction.

Separately, OC’s fully-owned subsidiary the Weitz Company was honored with the prestigious Build America award from the Associated General Contractors of America, according to a company statement (pdf). The company was recognized for its construction of a student housing development on the Texas A&M University campus through a public-private partnership.