Egypt Ranks 20th on Renewable Energy Country Attractiveness Index

Renewable energy plants - REUTERS
Renewable energy plants - REUTERS
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Egypt Ranks 20th on Renewable Energy Country Attractiveness Index

Renewable energy plants - REUTERS
Renewable energy plants - REUTERS

Egypt has advanced from 26th place in 2020 to the 20th among the world’s top 40 markets in the Renewable Energy Country Attractiveness Index for 2021, the cabinet’s information center announced.

“Egypt’s success in the field of transformation and the use of renewable sources of energy continue to take place,” the center noted on the sidelines of Egypt Energy exhibition and conference.

“Egypt advanced twice in a row during 2021, which affirms its target to transform into a sustainable and green economy,” it added.

Under Egypt’s 2030 Vision, the country plans to increase the supply of electricity generated from renewable sources to 20% by 2022 and up to 42% by 2035, which would enhance Egypt’s use of its potential as the largest country capable of generating electricity from solar and wind energies, the center explained.

The three-day Egypt Energy exhibition and conference kicked off on Monday in Cairo and reviewed the developments in Egypt’s energy market.

The sessions held tackled the importance of Hydrogen and expansion in its uses, especially green hydrogen, which depends on environmentally friendly sources.

Participants pointed to the energy transition measures and their importance in attaining sustainable development in accordance with Egypt’s Vision 2030 and enhancing the potential of cleaner energy use.

The New and Renewable Energy Authority has allocated eight billion pounds (about $510 million) in the 2021/22 fiscal year’s budget, which ends in June 2022.

The authority’s total financial budget during the fiscal year 2020/21 amounted approximately 7.5 billion pounds ($480 million), of which 66 percent were allocated for new investments, and the rest for existing projects.



Asharq Al-Awsat Tours Riyadh Metro on First Day of its Launch

Riyadh residents ride the Riyadh Metro on its launch day on Sunday. (Turky al-Agili)
Riyadh residents ride the Riyadh Metro on its launch day on Sunday. (Turky al-Agili)
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Asharq Al-Awsat Tours Riyadh Metro on First Day of its Launch

Riyadh residents ride the Riyadh Metro on its launch day on Sunday. (Turky al-Agili)
Riyadh residents ride the Riyadh Metro on its launch day on Sunday. (Turky al-Agili)

“Big achievements take time,” remarked university student Ahmed Al-Omari quoting a Saudi proverb as the Riyadh Metro officially began operations, opening three lines to passengers on Sunday morning. This long-anticipated mega-project is a significant milestone in advancing infrastructure to meet the needs of Riyadh’s rapidly growing population.

The proverb underscores that delays often reflect the scale and ambition of a project rather than inefficiency. After 11 years and a $22 billion investment, the Riyadh Metro, one of the largest transit systems in the Middle East, is now a reality, featuring six main lines spanning the city.

The metro boasts six lines extending 176 kilometers, making it the world’s longest driverless metro system. With 85 stations, including four major hubs, it has a daily capacity to serve 3.6 million passengers.

“I was worried about parking, but it turned out to be convenient and located right at the station,” said commuter Khuloud Al-Amri. The metro system provides 21 public parking facilities, each accommodating between 200 and 600 vehicles, to facilitate access. Additionally, 19 other parking sites with similar capacities are available across the network, along with seven maintenance and overnight facilities at its edges.

The Riyadh Metro offers the lowest transportation cost among G20 nations relative to daily income, according to Maher Shira, Director General of Smart Cities at the Royal Commission for Riyadh. Fares amount to just 0.5% of the average daily income of SAR 733 (approximately $195), compared to 0.9% in Türkiye and 1–3% in other G20 countries.

“My commute typically takes 30 to 45 minutes. I hope the metro will reduce this time,” said Hatem Al-Fawaz, one of the metro’s first passengers on launch day.

Environmentally, the metro aligns with Riyadh’s green initiatives. Existing city buses already use low-sulfur fuel, making them among the world’s most eco-friendly.

The metro further contributes by reducing carbon emissions and improving air quality, according to the Royal Commission. It also helps mitigate greenhouse gas emissions and urban heat through sustainable transport options.

The Riyadh Metro is expected to alleviate traffic congestion by 30%, marking a transformative step toward sustainable urban mobility and a better quality of life for residents.