Egypt Targets 42 Percent Renewable Energy by 2030, Expands Grid Capacity

Minister of Electricity and Renewable Energy, Mahmoud Esmat, has emphasised the Egyptian government’s unwavering commitment to providing high-quality, stable, and continuous electricity.

He revealed this while chairing the General Assembly of the Egyptian Electricity Transmission Company (EETC), where the company’s activities for the fiscal year 2023/2024 were reviewed. The meeting, held at the ministry's headquarters in the New Administrative Capital, was attended by Rania Al-Mashat, Minister of Planning, Economic Development, and International Cooperation.

Minister Esmat outlined the Ministry’s strategy for transitioning to a cleaner energy future. This includes a robust expansion of renewable energy projects and increased reliance on solar, wind, and hydroelectric power sources, all while prioritising environmental protection. In parallel, the Ministry is implementing a comprehensive plan to enhance the electricity grid’s performance, making it capable of handling the evolving energy demands and reducing operational costs.

Mona Rizk, Chairwoman of the EETC, presented a detailed review of the company’s achievements and ongoing initiatives during the fiscal year 2023/2024. Rizk revealed that the total capacity of renewable energy projects in operation, under construction, or in the final stages of contracting is estimated at 22.8 GW. These projects span wind, solar, and hydroelectric power, as well as storage battery systems designed to stabilise the national grid.

This progress aligns with Egypt’s overarching energy strategy, which aims to increase the share of renewable energy in the national electricity mix to 42 percent by 2030. Rizk also highlighted Egypt’s strategic role as a growing regional energy hub, with significant advancements in electricity interconnection projects. These include active projects with neighbouring countries such as Jordan, Libya, and Sudan, as well as ongoing efforts to strengthen interconnections with Saudi Arabia, Cyprus, and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). Studies are also underway for potential energy links with Greece and Italy.

The EETC has made remarkable progress in infrastructure development, with investments amounting to approximately 7.6 billion Egyptian pounds in the past year. These funds have been allocated to replace and renew high- and extra-high-voltage substations and lines, enabling the grid to accommodate more renewable energy and enhance its reliability and efficiency.

The fiscal year 2023/2024 also witnessed a 6 percent increase in total electricity generation, reaching 229.1 gigawatt-hours. EETC successfully completed over 99 percent of maintenance tasks for high- and extra-high-voltage transformer stations and achieved 100 percent completion for cables. Additionally, the company optimised the operation of its networks by redistributing loads across transformer stations, transmission lines, and cables.

One of the most notable achievements was the trial operation of the new National Control Centre in the New Administrative Capital. This state-of-the-art facility is set to manage 207 transformer stations in Greater Cairo, significantly enhancing the efficiency and reliability of the electricity transmission network. Other major advancements include the completion of the Suez Canal Control Centre upgrade and the development of a new Delta Control Centre, which will oversee 107 transformer stations across six governorates in the Delta region.

With these developments, Egypt continues to advance its energy transition agenda, bolstering its position as a leader in renewable energy and a pivotal player in the regional energy landscape.