EU Makes 150-Million-Dollar Grant to Egypt’s Energy Sector

The signing of the agreements took place during the “Egypt Sustainable Energy Outlook 2040” conference co-hosted by the EU and the Egyptian government in Cairo. Photo: Egyptian government
The signing of the agreements took place during the “Egypt Sustainable Energy Outlook 2040” conference co-hosted by the EU and the Egyptian government in Cairo. Photo: Egyptian government
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EU Makes 150-Million-Dollar Grant to Egypt’s Energy Sector

The signing of the agreements took place during the “Egypt Sustainable Energy Outlook 2040” conference co-hosted by the EU and the Egyptian government in Cairo. Photo: Egyptian government
The signing of the agreements took place during the “Egypt Sustainable Energy Outlook 2040” conference co-hosted by the EU and the Egyptian government in Cairo. Photo: Egyptian government

Egypt and the European Union (EU) have signed a grant agreement worth €90 million ($107.2 million) that will be managed by the European Investment Bank (EIB) to enhance investments in the electricity grid in Egypt and develop renewable energy capabilities.

A separate €35 million ($41.7 million) grant agreement was signed on Tuesday for Norway’s Scatec to support its green ammonia project in Ain Sokhna.

The signing of the agreements took place during the “Egypt Sustainable Energy Outlook 2040” conference co-hosted by the EU and the Egyptian government in Cairo.

Egyptian Minister of Planning, Economic Development, and International Cooperation Rania Al-Mashat said the transition toward sustainable, secure, and efficient energy systems represents one of the main drivers for achieving comprehensive development in Egypt.

Al-Mashat hailed the partnership between Egypt and the EU, as well as their shared commitment to supporting the energy transition, especially in light of the accelerating global changes that make it necessary to strike a balance between economic growth, energy security, and emissions reduction.

She said the Egyptian state has adopted an ambitious vision for the energy sector through 2040, based on expanding renewable energy sources, enhancing energy efficiency, and maximizing the use of diverse resources. This would strengthen Egypt’s position as a regional energy hub in the Eastern Mediterranean and support the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals.

She also said the ministry plays a central role in coordinating international partnerships and directing investments toward national priorities, especially energy transition, in close cooperation with European institutions such as EIB and European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD).

She added that the Nexus of Water, Food, and Energy (NWFE) platform serves as a leading national model linking water, food, and energy sectors, having mobilized about $5 billion over three years to deliver 4.2 GW of private-sector renewable energy projects and strengthen Egypt’s role in climate finance and green development.

In a related development, Energean International CEO Nicolas Katcharov told Reuters on Tuesday that Egypt has directed international oil companies to double production by 2030, saying existing contracts must be revised to spur new investment.

Katcharov said the low gas prices that supported earlier development phases had "expired,” making it necessary to ‌update terms to ‌encourage companies to ‌deploy ⁠capital and ‌boost production at brownfield sites.

He also said gas flows from Israel to Egypt had risen, with the pipeline ⁠now operating at full capacity.



Turkmenistan, China Launch Expansion of World’s Second-largest Gas Field

Former Turkmen president Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov and Chinese Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang applaud during a ceremony launching the fourth of seven planned development phases at Galkynysh gas field, the world's second-largest gas field in the Karakum desert about 400 kilometres (250 miles) east of the capital Ashgabat, on April 17, 2026. (Photo by AFP)
Former Turkmen president Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov and Chinese Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang applaud during a ceremony launching the fourth of seven planned development phases at Galkynysh gas field, the world's second-largest gas field in the Karakum desert about 400 kilometres (250 miles) east of the capital Ashgabat, on April 17, 2026. (Photo by AFP)
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Turkmenistan, China Launch Expansion of World’s Second-largest Gas Field

Former Turkmen president Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov and Chinese Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang applaud during a ceremony launching the fourth of seven planned development phases at Galkynysh gas field, the world's second-largest gas field in the Karakum desert about 400 kilometres (250 miles) east of the capital Ashgabat, on April 17, 2026. (Photo by AFP)
Former Turkmen president Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov and Chinese Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang applaud during a ceremony launching the fourth of seven planned development phases at Galkynysh gas field, the world's second-largest gas field in the Karakum desert about 400 kilometres (250 miles) east of the capital Ashgabat, on April 17, 2026. (Photo by AFP)

Turkmenistan and China broke ground Friday on works to expand production at the giant Galkynysh gas field, strengthening Beijing's already dominant position in the secretive Central Asian nation's energy sector.

The former Soviet republic, which holds the world's fourth-largest gas reserves, has exported nearly all its production to China since 2009, when the Central Asia-China pipeline opened.

In the middle of the desert, former president Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov -- who effectively runs the country alongside his son, President Serdar Berdymukhamedov -- formally inaugurated the launch of the fourth of seven planned development phases at Galkynysh.

The ceremony was attended by Chinese Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang, an AFP correspondent saw.

"Turkmen gas is a symbol of happiness -- it is present in every Chinese household," Ding said.

The event featured songs and dances celebrating Turkmen-Chinese friendship, staged with the lavish pomp typical of Turkmenistan's state-sponsored events.

Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov, officially titled "Hero-Protector" and vested with sweeping powers, presided over the gathering.

Galkynysh, in the Karakum desert about 400 kilometers (250 miles) east of the capital Ashgabat, has been producing gas since 2013 and is the world's second-largest gas field, according to the British consulting firm GaffneyCline.

Expansion works are being carried out by the state-owned China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC).

On a visit to Ashgabat the day before the ceremony, CNPC chairman Dai Houliang said "the friendship between China and Turkmenistan is as deep as the roots of a tree."


$27 Billion City to be Built East of Cairo

The project covers approximately 2.4 million square meters of land. Asharq Al-Awsat
The project covers approximately 2.4 million square meters of land. Asharq Al-Awsat
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$27 Billion City to be Built East of Cairo

The project covers approximately 2.4 million square meters of land. Asharq Al-Awsat
The project covers approximately 2.4 million square meters of land. Asharq Al-Awsat

Egypt's Talaat Moustafa Group (TMG) will build a new 1.4 trillion Egyptian pound ($27 billion) mixed-use city east of Cairo, CEO and Managing Director Hisham Talaat Moustafa said at a press conference on Saturday.

The project, called The Spine, is to be developed in partnership with ⁠the National Bank ⁠of Egypt, with a paid-up capital of 69 billion Egyptian pounds ($1.3 billion).

The project, to be built as a Special Investment ⁠Zone with TMG's Madinaty, covers approximately 2.4 million square meters of land, combining residential, commercial, hospitality, retail, entertainment, and public green space within a single continuous urban environment.

The investment is equivalent to roughly 1% of Egypt's GDP, according to Moustafa, and is ⁠projected ⁠to generate approximately 818 billion Egyptian pounds in tax revenues for the state budget over time.

The project is expected to create more than 55,000 direct jobs and hundreds of thousands of indirect positions.


Türkiye Says Iran Gas Pipeline Contract Nearing Expiry, No Talks Yet on Extension

Türkiye's Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Alparslan Bayraktar -  REUTERS/Umit Bektas
Türkiye's Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Alparslan Bayraktar - REUTERS/Umit Bektas
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Türkiye Says Iran Gas Pipeline Contract Nearing Expiry, No Talks Yet on Extension

Türkiye's Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Alparslan Bayraktar -  REUTERS/Umit Bektas
Türkiye's Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Alparslan Bayraktar - REUTERS/Umit Bektas

Türkiye's long-term contract for importing natural gas from Iran is due to expire in the coming months, and the two countries could hold talks on a possible extension, though no negotiations are under way yet, Türkiye's energy minister said on Saturday.

The agreement, due to expire in July, provides for delivery of 9.6 billion cubic metres of gas a year, but actual flows have often fallen short, Reuters reported.

Türkiye imported 7.6 bcm from Iran last year, accounting for 13% of total gas imports. Regulator data show the pipeline last hit the contracted volume in 2022.

"According to our forecast, we might need this gas pipeline or the gas flow from Iran for the security of supply of Türkiye. There is no negotiation right now ongoing. I think they are busy with so many other things. But we might sit and discuss a potential extension," Alparslan Bayraktar told reporters on the sidelines of a diplomacy forum in the southern Turkish province of Antalya.

"But we haven't started a negotiation during the current circumstances in the region," Bayraktar said, referring to the Iran war.

Bayraktar also said Türkiye was seeking to diversify natural gas supplies, including through Russian liquefied natural gas.