Egypt is abandoning traditional electricity to switch to renewable energy.

Egypt is abandoning traditional electricity to switch to renewable energy                          

Egypt to Dispense with 19,000 Megawatts of Conventional Electricity to Shift to Renewable Energy

In a strategic move, Egypt announced new plans to dispense more than 19,000 megawatts of conventional electricity capacity as part of its efforts to transition to clean energy and reduce dependence on fossil fuels.

According to a statement, this plan is part of the National Energy Strategy, which aims to double installed capacity from the current 60,000 megawatts to 120,000 megawatts by 2040 through expanding renewable energy projects, particularly solar and wind energy.

The Minister of Electricity and Renewable Energy, Dr. Mahmoud Esmat, stated that the plan includes introducing energy storage technologies and developing the unified grid to be more flexible and efficient, allowing it to accommodate new capacity and ensuring long-term stability of electricity supply.

 The Minister added that these efforts are in line with the state's vision for sustainable development and its plans to attract local and foreign investments in the energy sector, while enhancing the private sector's contribution to implementing new renewable energy projects, which represent a fundamental pillar of Egypt's electricity future.

Egypt's installed electricity capacity stands at approximately 60,000 megawatts (MW), and plans are currently underway to increase this capacity to 120,000 MW by 2040, representing a 100% increase to meet the growing demand for energy.

 The Minister of Electricity explained that these plans rely on integrating various technologies, including solar and wind energy, along with the introduction of battery storage systems. This ensures grid stability and increases the efficiency of utilizing available resources in light of growing electricity consumption.

Dr. Mahmoud Esmat pointed out that existing wind projects provide 3,034 MW, while solar power plants contribute approximately 2,241 MW, in addition to storage batteries with a capacity of 300 MWh, which represents a solid foundation upon which to build in the future. He pointed out that new projects are under implementation with a total capacity of 1,300 megawatts of wind energy, 2,000 megawatts of solar energy, and 800 megawatt-hours of storage, reflecting the accelerating trend toward increasing the share of renewable energy in the national energy mix.

He stated that the National Energy Strategy aims to increase the contribution of renewable energy to 42% of the energy mix by 2030, instead of 2035, with an expected increase in solar and wind generating capacity exceeding the planned target by 2.5 gigawatts, according to a review by the specialized energy platform.

He emphasized that the government has developed plans to add more than 65 gigawatts of solar and wind energy, in addition to 2.4 gigawatts of pumped-storage capacity, 2 gigawatts of hydroelectric power, and 4.8 gigawatts of nuclear power, forming an integrated system to secure Egypt's electricity future.

 The Minister emphasized that these projects will contribute to increasing energy efficiency, enhancing reliance on clean sources, and reducing carbon emissions, in line with Egypt's international commitments to environmental protection and combating climate change.

Replacing Traditional Capacity with Clean Options

Dr. Mahmoud Esmat stated that the Ministry of Electricity and Renewable Energy seeks to reduce reliance on traditional capacity by decommissioning approximately 19,000 megawatts of capacity based on fossil fuel-fired turbine plants.

He emphasized that this step represents a radical shift toward a cleaner future, as it is not simply a reduction in traditional capacity, but rather part of a comprehensive restructuring of the energy sector to ensure greater flexibility, reduce production costs, and direct investments toward more sustainable alternatives.

 The Egyptian Minister of Electricity added that the sector is working to improve the infrastructure of the unified grid to ensure the capacity to accommodate new capacity, while adopting the latest digital technologies and smart control systems, which allow for more efficient management of electricity flows and reduce losses.

He pointed out that the government is paying special attention to increasing the percentage of local manufacturing of renewable energy components, particularly in the fields of wind and solar energy, which will create new job opportunities and increase the added value of the national economy in the long term. He noted that the Ministry has launched a package of legislation and investment incentives, most notably the new Electricity Law and long-term energy purchase agreements, which have boosted the confidence of foreign investors and contributed to accelerating project implementation.

He explained that the implementation of these plans is being closely monitored, from land allocation to grid connection, to ensure adherence to timelines and the achievement of annual targets to address consumption growth. According to the Minister, Egypt is steadily progressing toward becoming a regional clean energy hub, with a diverse mix that includes solar, wind, nuclear, and storage, gradually replacing traditional fossil fuel-based capabilities.